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Hispanics and 2010 census

As the nation’s largest minority group, Hispanics numbered 46.9 million in 2008, equaling 15.4% of the total U.S. population.  Among Hispanic adults, 47% are native born and 53% are foreign born, and according to a new study, whether they are native born or foreign born has an impact on how they feel about the Census.

Traditionally, Census participation rates among Hispanics have been lower than that of other groups.  In 2000, the mail return rate among Hispanic households was 69% while that of non-Hispanic households was at 79%.   As part of the effort to encourage participation among groups that have had historically low participation, the Census Bureau has dedicated about 20% of its overall advertising budget (about $25 million) to efforts targeting the Hispanic community.

According to a recent study from the Pew Hispanic Center, overall 70% of Hispanics say the census is good for the Hispanic community, and almost 9 in 10 say they intend to participate in the 2010 Census.  However, of this number, foreign-born Hispanics are more likely than native-born Hispanics to feel that it is good for their community by a margin of 80% to 57%.

The Pew Hispanic survey coincided with the arrival of the 2010 Census forms in the mailboxes of U.S. households beginning on March 15 and the complete report can be read here .