Census Bureau Statement on Updated Race and Ethnicity Standards

March 28, 2024 - The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) today published the results of their Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15) review and issued updated standards for maintaining, collecting and presenting race and ethnicity data.

The U.S. Census Bureau commends the scientific integrity and collaboration with our fellow federal statistical agencies and departments throughout this process. These efforts aim to improve federal race and ethnicity statistics and ensure data more accurately reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population.

As the Census Bureau follows the race and ethnicity standards directed by OMB, we will begin the process of reviewing the updated SPD 15. We will keep the public informed and determine a regular cadence for communications as we develop plans to implement the changes in our censuses and surveys.

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