Improving Data Infrastructure to Recognize Hispanic Diversity in the United States

Author

Elizabeth Wildsmith

Arya Ansari

Lina Guzman

This brief examines 34 commonly used large-scale data sets, identifies which include recommended data elements key to understanding the diversity of the Hispanic population, and suggests steps national surveys should take to improve their description of the characteristics and experiences of Latinos in the United States. We have also developed a companion online data tool that allows users to dig deeper into national surveys and see which include questions about citizenship, literacy, heritage, and more.

Access the data tool here >>

The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families (Center) is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of two financial assistance awards (Award # 90PH0028, from 2018-2023, and Award # 90PH0032 from 2023-2028) totaling $13.5 million across the two awards with 99 percent funded by ACF/HHS and 1 percentage funded by non-government sources. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirement.