Exploring Inconsistent Counts of Racial/Ethnic Minorities in a 2010 Census Ethnographic Evaluation

Previous research has shown differential counts by race and ethnicity across several recent United States decennial censuses. This article presents findings from a 2010 Census ethnographic evaluation with a record check, conducted to identify factors affecting enumeration among racial/ethnic groups. In eight sites targeted to major racial/ethnic groups, ethnographers observed live census interviews and assessed where persons should have been counted. In the record check, housing unit rosters were matched with four data sources to identify inconsistencies in where to count persons. Ethnographic themes that contributed to record check inconsistencies include respondent access difficulty, language issues, and cultural issues. Ways to improve enumeration include improving access to hard-to-reach respondents and increasing the cultural awareness of enumerators.