Census Information Center
In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau designated AAF a Census Information Center, the only one serving the Asian community in the Northeast. We have 30 years of expertise in crafting culturally informed messages to convince hard-to-reach communities to get counted. We led the Census process for the Asian community in New York for the last 3 censuses, in 2000, 2010, and 2020, and empowered more Asians to participate and get counted. In 2020, despite COVID-related disruptions, and thanks to the 50 Asian groups we worked with to create messages in multiple languages, the Asian community’s Census participation rate was 62.4% — higher than that of New York City overall.
What does the Federation CIC offer?
- Publication of demographic briefs and reports on Asian Americans at the national, state, city, and neighborhood levels
- Customized data and mapping services upon requests by community organizations, businesses, and government agencies*
- Orientation and training on Census Bureau data products and their use for community leaders and service providers
*Please note that in certain cases, the CIC may charge a fee for data and mapping services
OUR CENSUS WORK
Census 2020
Despite contributing to U.S. society for more than 170 years, Asian Americans remain undercounted and underrepresented in the national conversation. The Asian American Federation seeks to increase the community’s participation in the political and civic life of the nation. To that end, the most important step is to ensure that Asian Americans are counted. Where do they live? How many of us are here? What languages do we speak? Our goal is to ensure the Asian American experience in all its complexity is made visible to demographers–and our most effective weapon is data.
As the only officially designated Census Information Center by the U.S. Census Bureau focused on the Asian community in the Northeast and the leading expert on New York’s Asian American census data and issues, AAF is well placed to tell our community’s story through the numbers.
We were a national and local community partner of the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census, as well as for the Censuses in 2010 and 2000.
We have been able to use our cultural expertise to break down barriers to participation in the Asian American community. Effective in-language communication and training, a deep reach into the community, and strong partnerships helped us to achieve above average participation in the 2020 Census from New York’s Asian American community. Even in a year when Covid-19 made in-person canvassing almost impossible, AAF delivered Asian self-response rates on Census 2020 that were higher than the city-wide average.
Linying He
120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 344-5878 x219
linying.he@aafederation.org
