Current The Asian and Pacific Islander

P

Populatio

Population Characteristics opulation in the United States:

n Reports March 1996 (Update)

By Claudette Bennett and Kymberly Debarros

C E N S U S B U R E A U P20-503

Issued October 1997

NOTICE TO USERS  In 1995, the median earnings of Asian and Pacific

Islander women and men working year-round, full-time

Last year, the Census Bureau announced its were $24,880 and $31,570, respectively, for a femaleintention to offer more information in electronic format to-male earnings ratio of 0.79.

while reducing the number of printed reports. This Asian and Pacific Islander families had a real median change is now being implemented for the P20 Current 

income of $46,360 in 1995. Population Report series. Many P20 reports, such as

the Asian and Pacific Islander Population in the United  About 15 percent of all Asian and Pacific Islanders

States, will now be printed less frequently. had incomes below the poverty level in 1995.

Instead, to keep you informed of the major findings

from the Current Population Survey, short data up- DETAILED TABULATIONS

dates will be produced periodically. These will be

available in both printed and electronic forms. Addi- A paper version of these tables is available as

tionally, the detailed tabulations that have been part of PPL-77 for $26.90. The previous tabulation package

the printed reports will be updated annually in elec- entitled, “The Asian and Pacific Islander Population

tronic form on the Internet. If you wish to obtain the in the United States: March 1994” is also available as

new tabulations, updating The Asian and Pacific PPL-32 for $15.00. To receive a paper copy of one or

Islander Population in the United States: March 1996 both of these tabulations, please send your request

(Update) (Current Population Report, P20-503), along with a check or money order in the amount of

please see the “Detailed Tabulations” section at the $26.90 for PPL-77 or $15.00 for PPL-32, or $41.90

end of this update. for both tabulations, payable to Commerce-Census88-00-9010, to U.S. Department of Commerce, Our decision to modify the format of the P20 series Bureau of the Census, P.O. Box 277943, Atlanta,

is based on a variety of factors. Ultimately, we hope GA 30384-7943, or call our Statistical Information

this decision will provide users with more timely data Office on 301-457-2422. Please be certain to specify

on a wider variety of topics. If you have comments which PPL you are requesting. A copy of these

about this change or the P20 series in general, please tabulations will be made available to any existing

contact us on the Internet at: pop@census.gov, or CPR P20 subscriber without charge, provided that

write to: Chief, Population Division, U.S. Bureau of the the request is made within 3 months of the issue

Census, Washington, DC 20233. date of this report. Contact our Statistical Information Office on 301-457-2422.

DATA HIGHLIGHTS The electronic version of these tables is available

on the Internet, at the Census Bureau’s World-Wide Detailed tabulations are now available which pro- Web site (http://www.census.gov). Once on the site, vide statistics on the civilian noninstitutional Asian and click on Subjects A-Z, “Race” then “Persons.” “The Pacific Islander population of the United States, based Asian and Pacific Islander Population in the United on the March 1996 Current Population Survey. These States: March 1996 (Update)” is listed under Popula- tables provide information such as: tion-Special Subjects.  In 1996, the Asian and Pacific Islander population was

estimated at 9.6 million persons and represented 3.7 For additional information on this topic, contact Claudette percent of the total population. Bennett or Kymberly Debarros, Racial Statistics Branch, on

 There were 2.1 million Asian and Pacific Islander fam- 301-457-2402 or via Internet E-mail claudette.e.bennett@

ccmail.census.gov or kymberly.a.debarros@ccmail.census.gov. ilies in 1996; of these about 80 percent were marriedcouple families; of the remaining 20 percent, 12 The data in the detailed tables are estimates based on a percent were families maintained by women and 8 sample survey (the Current Population Survey). All survey data percent were families maintained by men with no are subject to sampling variability as well as survey design flaws,

spouse present. respondent classification errors, and data processing mistakes.

 The Census Bureau has taken steps to minimize errors, and Fifty-nine percent of all households maintained by an analytical statements have been tested and meet statistical Asian or Pacific Islander householder had 3 or more standards. However, because of methodological differences, use persons in them in 1996. caution when comparing these data with data from other sources.

 In 1996, 83 percent of all Asian and Pacific Islander For information on the source of data and the accuracy of

estimates, including the use and computation of standard errors, persons 25 years of age and older had at least a high contact Geneva A. Burns, Demographic Statistical Methods school education; about 42 percent had at least a Division (301-457-4214) or via Internet E-mail Geneva.A.Burns bachelor’s degree. @ ccmail.census.gov).