Crossing Racial Boundaries: Changes of Interracial Marriage in America, 1990-2000

Zhenchao Qian, Ohio State University
Daniel T. Lichter, Ohio State University

Trends in interracial marriage provide an indirect indicator of changes in race relations and intergroup social distance in America. Using data from the 5% Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) of the 1990 and 2000 U.S. censuses, we employ log-linear models to examine changes and variations in interracial marriage and union among whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, and American Indians with different levels of educational attainment. We also explore how immigration affects patterns of interracial relationships. In addition, we address the role of the new racial classification in the 2000 Census in changing levels of interracial marriage and union among various racial groups.