Income Money and Poverty Status - Change In Methodology

Historically, U.S. Census questionnaires asked respondents to identify themselves by only one racial group, making no allowances for multiracial individuals. However, beginning with the 2000 census, respondents were able to report more than one race if applicable. In 2002 the Census Bureau began tracking information for ten racial and ethnic groups: White alone; White alone or in combination; White alone, not Hispanic; Hispanic origin (of any race); African-American alone or in combination; African-American alone; Asian alone or in combination; Asian alone; Asian, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander, alone or in combination; and Asian and/or Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander. As a result of this change in approach, comparison between current and past data becomes difficult in some cases.