Race and Social Justice Research Guide: Statistical Data

Ancestry refers to one’s ethnic origin or descent, "roots," or heritage, or the place of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors before their arrival in the United States. Ethnic identities may not represent geographic areas

The Census Bureau collects race data according to U.S. Office of Management and Budget guidelines, and these data are based on self-identification. People may choose to report more than one race group. People of any race may be of any ethnic origin.

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts reimbursable projects for the two U.S. Department of Justice agencies: Bureau of Justice Statistics and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The U.S. Census Bureau acts as a data collection agent to provide statistical data on a range of topics including probation, parole, inmate sexual violence, inmate deaths, criminal justice expenditures, and a variety of facility data.

Once the data are provided to the U.S. Department of Justice, it is used for a wide range of purposes including research, evaluation, policy development, legislative action, program creation, and funding allotment as well as other processes.

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects information on victimization characteristics including race and ethnicity. Since 2003, two questions on the NCVS obtain information on the respondent's race and Hispanic origin: (1) whether the respondent is of Hispanic origin, and (2) which race or races they identify with. Respondents may choose white, black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander, and other race. Respondents who select other race are asked to specify their race. More than one race may be selected.

"A nonpartisan research organization that seeks to improve understanding of the U.S. Hispanic population and to chronicle Latinos' growing impact on the nation." The Center regularly conducts and commissions studies covering demographics, economics, education, identity, immigration, labor, policy and remittances as well as conducting regular public opinion surveys of Latinos. Dataset files from surveys are posted on the site. The State & County Database provides geographic profiles of the Hispanic population. Interactive maps, demographic profiles, election '08 factsheets, and links to other relevant resources are also included.

"We offer streamlined access to existing ICPSR data and to newly acquired studies that are relevant to the study of immigration, place of origin, ancestry, ethnicity, and race in the United States."