2000 U.S. Census Notes

Some important points to keep in mind when examining Census 2000 data and when attempting to compare Census 2000 and Census 1990 data:

Multiracial Identification

The 2000 census was the first that allowed individuals to identify themselves as more than one race, e.g. Black and Asian, or white and Asian. Generally, the data that we present for Asian Americans on this web site will reflect those people who identified themselves as "Asian" and as only one race. We have chosen to do this to prevent overcounting of individuals.

Multiethnic Asian Identification

The 2000 census also allowed Asian to identify themselves as more than one Asian ethnicity, e.g. Chinese and Vietnamese, or Lao and Thai. Data on Asian ethnic groups on this web site reflects those individuals who identified themselves as only one Asian ethnicity. We have chosen to do this to prevent overcounting of individuals.

Pacific Islanders

Pacific Islanders are no longer included in the Asian American category.

The Undercount

There is not information available as of yet on the undercount of Asian Americans in the 2000 Census. It should be noted that the estimated undercount of Asians in Massachusetts in the 1990 U.S. Census was 3.9%. The U.S. Census Bureau believes that the undercount has been reduced in the 2000 Census. Also, keep in mind that the undercount is likely to be different for different Asian ethnic groups.