An identity founded on the traditions of a particular racialized or nationally-oriented social group.

Relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background.

Similar to race, ethnicity is a social and political construct used by individuals and communities to define themselves or others. Ethnicity is also a process, which is changed over time both by social conditions and individuals. Ethnicity tends to be based on a common culture, language, region or nationhood.

The Census Bureau collects and publishes data on ethnicity to determine compliance with provisions of anti-discrimination in employment and minority recruitment legislation, and to ensure enforcement of bilingual education rules under the Voting Rights Act. There were two questions on ethnicity in the 1990 Census. On the short form, respondents were asked whether or not they were of Hispanic origin while on the long form respondents were asked that question and were also asked to write in their own ancestry or ethnic origin, such as German, Thai, Ukrainian, etc. These data are based upon the respondent's self-perception of his or her ethnic identity.