Contexts of Change: Patterns in Individuals’ Race/Ethnic Response Change from 2000 to 2010

• In Event: 465 - Regular Session. Multiracial Classification

Abstract

Research has shown that people can change their race or ethnic identification and also that geographic context is correlated with different racial and ethnic responses net of individual characteristics. We use unique linked census data to investigate which geographic contexts have higher rates of change in race and ethnicity responses (Census 2000 to 2010 Census) and which contexts have lower rates of response change. Specifically, after mapping locations based on rates of specific response change, we describe patterns in rates of individual-level response change relative to the following characteristics of the census tract: 1) concentration of people in the 2000 race/ethnic group, 2) residential segregation of the race/ethnic group (in 2000) and 3) economic inequality between the race/ethnic group and others in the area (in 2000). In our conclusions, we focus on the potential importance of context-related identity stability/change for contributing to processes of economic and residential stratification.

Authors

• Sonya R. Porter, US Census Bureau

• Carolyn A. Liebler, University of Minnesota