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Estimating the Potential Effects of Adding a Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census

Author

Listed:
  • Brown, J. David

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Heggeness, Misty L.

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Dorinski, Suzanne M.

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Warren, Lawrence

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Yi, Moises

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

Abstract

The self-response rate is a key driver of the cost and quality of a census. The addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 Census could affect the self-response rate. We predict the effect of the addition of a citizenship question on self-response by comparing mail response rates in the 2010 Census, which did not have a citizenship question, and the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS), which included a citizenship question for the same housing units. To distinguish a citizenship question effect from other factors, we compare the actual ACS-Census difference in response rates for households that may contain noncitizens to the ACS-Census difference for all-U.S. citizen households. We estimate the addition of a citizenship question will have a 5.8 percentage point (ppt) larger effect on self-response rates in households that may have noncitizens relative to all-U.S. citizen households. Noncitizens are also 36.2 ppts less likely to report citizenship status that is consistent with administrative records compared to citizens. Only 6.2 ppts of this difference is explained by observed characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, J. David & Heggeness, Misty L. & Dorinski, Suzanne M. & Warren, Lawrence & Yi, Moises, 2019. "Estimating the Potential Effects of Adding a Citizenship Question to the 2020 Census," IZA Discussion Papers 12087, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oaxaca, Ronald, 1973. "Male-Female Wage Differentials in Urban Labor Markets," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 14(3), pages 693-709, October.
    2. J. David Brown & Misty L. Heggeness & Suzanne M. Dorinski & Lawrence Warren & Moises Yi, 2018. "Understanding the Quality of Alternative Citizenship Data Sources for the 2020 Census," Working Papers 18-38, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    3. Adela Luque & Renuka Bhaskar, 2014. "2010 American Community Survey Match Study," CARRA Working Papers 2014-03, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    4. Alan S. Blinder, 1973. "Wage Discrimination: Reduced Form and Structural Estimates," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 8(4), pages 436-455.
    5. J. David Brown & Misty L. Heggeness & Suzanne M. Dorinski & Lawrence Warren & Moises Yi, 2018. "Understanding the Quality of Alternative Citizenship Data Sources for the 2020 Census," Working Papers 18-38r, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    nonresponse; sensitive questions; immigration; citizenship; administrative records;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C8 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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