Gender identity question, ethnicity option among new additions being added to US Census

AI-assisted summary
• The Census Bureau is also testing more gender-neutral language throughout the survey.
• A new "Middle Eastern or North African" racial category will also be implemented.
• These changes could be implemented as early as 2027.

Clearer questions pertaining to sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity are one step closer to appearing on the U.S. Census.

Following new categorizing standards set by the federal government this spring, the U.S Census Bureau is using a combined race and ethnicity question and will be implementing a new "Middle Eastern or North African" category.

Additionally, throughout the summer, the U.S. Census Bureau has been testing new questions pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity through its American Community Survey. Held annually, the survey collects information about the population's demographics, economics, housing and social characteristics.

The Census Bureau is awaiting results from its field testing, which will determine the implementation of more LGBTQ+ questions and language in the upcoming Census. Assuming the changes will be approved, they may be implemented as early as 2027.

New questions about sexual orientation, gender

Three new questions are being tested through the survey pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexual orientation

The survey's test question pertaining to sexual orientation asks: "Which of the following best represents how this person thinks of themselves?"

Response options include "gay or lesbian," "straight, that is not gay or lesbian" and "bisexual." The question allow also for respondents to complete a fill-in-the-blank box if the three previous options do not best suit them.

Gender identity

Two questions relate to gender identity.

The first question asks, "What sex was (respondent) assigned at birth?" Response options include "Male" and "Female."

The second question asks, "What is (respondent)'s correct gender?" Response options include "Male," "Female," "Transgender," "Nonbinary" and a fill-in-the-blank box.

In its testing phase, the latter question will be presented in two different ways. The first will only allow respondents to mark one response and the second will allow respondents to "mark all that apply" for answers they believe represent them.

For example, a respondent taking the second version of the question may be able to respond "Male" and "Transgender," if he identifies as a transgender male.

The U.S. Census Bureau aligned its new questions with recommendations provided by the Office of Management and Budget and National Academics of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Stephanie Galvin, assistant division chief for social characteristics in social, economic and housing statistics division, said during the U.S. Census Bureau National Advisory Committee Fall Meeting on Thursday.

Only respondents 15 and older will be asked these new questions.

Implementation of more gender-neutral terms

In addition to questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, the U.S. Census Bureau is testing more gender-neutral language throughout the entire survey.

"For example, biological son or daughter is now biological child," Galvin said.

"Their" will also replace many "his/her" pronouns throughout the survey.

For example, a previous question asked: "Does this person have any of his/her own grandchildren under the age of 18 living in this house or apartment?"

In testing, the question now reads: "Does this person have any of their own grandchildren under the age of 18 living in this house or apartment?"

New questions, categories pertaining to race, ethnicity

The U.S. Census' new question combining race and ethnicity will allow respondents to report one or multiple categories to indicate their racial and ethnic identity, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

In conjunction with new federal standards, the U.S. Census Bureau saw a large increase in the number of respondents who felt they could inadequately indicate their race and ethnicity.

From 2010 and 2020, respondents began checking the "Some Other Race" category 129% more, surpassing the use of the Black or African American category as the United States' second-largest race, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

For the first time since 1997, Census respondents will have the opportunity to mark their race as "Middle Eastern or North African." Up until this change, many respondents were just tabulated into the "white" racial category.

When is the next Census?

The next U.S. Census will take place on April 1, 2030.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.