This report presents findings from the 2020 Census on the reporting of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) identities in the question on race. It is important to emphasize that a distinct MENA category was not included in the 2020 Census based on the 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards. However, two MENA examples (Lebanese and Egyptian) were added to the White racial category, along with a new dedicated write-in response area, to solicit information about detailed MENA responses for the first time in the history of the decennial census question on race.

This report analyzes which write-in area detailed MENA responses were reported on and which checkboxes respondents selected when reporting a detailed MENA response. Additionally, we also present the same analysis of response patterns for groups that are frequently recommended for inclusion in the MENA category by stakeholders.

The reporting patterns of the self-reported MENA population in the 2020 Census are similar to those of the 2015 National Content Test in question designs when no MENA category was present. The results of this report indicate that in a question without a distinct MENA category, the majority of MENA respondents reported their response(s) on the White write-in area, followed by the Some Other Race write-in area.  Similarly, most groups not included in the MENA category were reported mainly on the write-in area of the major race category they were classified in.

OMB updated the race/ethnicity standards in 2024, and this final decision requires a new “Middle Eastern or North African” minimum reporting category and the use of a combined race/ethnicity question. The Census Bureau implementation of the new combined race/ethnicity question and MENA category in data collections such as the 2027 American Community Survey and the 2030 Census will utilize the same detailed race/ethnicity checkbox groups as shown in the updated 2024 OMB standards. With the new combined question, the Census Bureau will be able to examine how respondents report their racial/ethnicity identities with a designated MENA category.