Most adults aware of 2020 census and ready to respond, but don't know key details

As the 2020 census gets underway, most U.S. adults are aware of it and are ready to respond, but many do not know what it asks or how to participate. A majority incorrectly believes a citizenship question is on the questionnaire, and only about one-in-five know they will have the option of answering online, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

• Learn more about the changing categories the U.S. census has used to measure race
• Take our email mini-course on the census

Women make gains in the workplace amid a rising demand for skilled workers

The growing presence of women in higher-skill occupations has contributed to more rapid wage growth for them in recent decades compared with men, and this helped to narrow the gender wage gap. From 1980 to 2018, the average hourly wage of women increased 45%, compared with an increase of 14% for men.

• Key takeaways from the report
• Related: The share of immigrant workers in high-skill jobs is rising in the U.S.

Most black adults say race is central to their identity and feel connected to a broader black community

February was Black History Month, honoring the achievements of black Americans throughout history and offering a chance to reflect on larger themes of identity and community. Findings from Pew Research Center surveys conducted in recent years show that most black adults feel that they are part of a broader black community in the United States and see race as important to how they think of themselves.

• About three-quarters of black adults said in a 2019 survey that being black is extremely (52%) or very (22%) important to how they think about themselves.
• In 2016, most black adults (81%) said they felt at least somewhat connected to a broader black community in the U.S.

Economic conditions and attitudes around Inequality

Two recent reports explored U.S. economic conditions and economic inequality. The first report found that most Americans say the current economy is helping the rich while hurting the poor and middle class. The second found that, though most say there's too much economic inequality in the U.S., fewer than half consider the issue a top priority that the government needs to address. Roughly half of lower-income Republicans say current economic conditions are hurting them and their families, and Democrats and Republicans differ on whether addressing economic inequality requires major changes to the economic system.

• Related: 70% of Americans say the U.S. economic system unfairly favors the powerful
• Interactive: Comparing two recessions and two recoveries

Media mentions

From our research