‘Mexican,’ ‘Hispanic,’ ‘Latin American’ top list of race write-ins on the 2010 census

*Ever since the U.S. Census added an “origin” option to the “Hispanic” check-off box the question of Latino identity has become a matter of official government concern. It turns out that one third of  Latinos in the U.S. opted for the “some other race” box and filled-in a self identifying category. 44.3% wrote in Mexican. This must drive marketers and politicos batty! … que bueno. VL

By Mark Hugo Lopez and Jens Manuel Krogstad, Pew Research Center

What is your race? The U.S. Census Bureau asks this question of every U.S. household, but the menu of options offered may feel limiting to some.

On the 2010 census form, in addition to boxes marked “white,” “black or African Am. Or Negro” or “American Indian or Native Alaskan” or one of several Asian options, respondents have the option to select a box called “some other race”—and to write in a response in a box below.

According to a new Census report released last week, about one-third of the 47.4 million self-identified Hispanics chose “some other race” when describing their racial identity.

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