Multiracial Americans are surging. But data erases them
Summary
The number of multiracial Americans has grown rapidly, but current data systems still use outdated race categories. This mismatch causes problems in areas like elections, healthcare, and civil rights enforcement because multiracial identities are often counted or understood incorrectly.Key Facts
- The multiracial population in the U.S. increased from 9 million in 2010 to 33.8 million in 2020.
- The U.S. Census now allows people to select one or more races to identify themselves.
- Many multiracial people may identify differently over time or in different situations.
- There are 57 different racial combinations reported in census data, showing the diversity of multiracial identities.
- Misclassification of multiracial people affects medical treatment, legal cases, and voting district maps.
- Multiracial individuals with Black ancestry report higher rates of discrimination than other multiracial groups.
- Data systems often use fixed race categories that do not reflect how people see themselves today.
- These data challenges can lead to inaccurate counts and misunderstandings that impact policy and resource decisions.
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