Diversity in People and Places: Changing Locations and Characteristics of Multiracial People in the U.S.

Nancy A. Denton, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY)
Glenn D. Deane, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY)

With Census 2000 the U.S. embarked on a new era by allowing people to choose multiple races on the Census form. Using aggregate and PUMS data from Census 2000 and the 2009 ACS this paper explores the growth and location of the multiracial population, separately for children and adults. Moving from larger to smaller geographic levels appropriate for each combination of races, the paper looks at indices of spatial dispersion and segregation, and maps the groups. Next it uses P* indices to show their probability of contact with other groups, and profiles their neighborhoods. Finally it examines the social and economic characteristics of the multiracial population itself in each combined race group. Using the method developed by Deane it estimates the effects of multiracial identity on socioeconomic characteristics. In total it provides a baseline examination of this important group prior to the release of the 2010 data.