Washington Will Stop Asking Business Owners Their Race and Sex on a Mandatory Census Survey. That Is Common Sense
A Census Bureau notice published Oct. 22 says the next Annual Business Survey will drop owner questions on race, ethnicity, sex, birthplace, citizenship and age, using administrative data instead. In our view, it is a pro-entrepreneur reform that keeps the economic data and respects the people who build it.
By Clara Hughes
ALTAS WORLD NEWS OPINION | By Clara Hughes, Chief Opinion Editor | October 22, 2026 | 6-min read If you own a business in America, the federal government should care about what you build, sell and invent, not about sorting you by race and sex on a government form. On Thursday the Census Bureau published a notice that it will remove six owner demographic questions, including race, ethnicity and sex, from the next Annual Business Survey [1]. In our view, it is a sensible step toward a government that treats business owners as citizens and entrepreneurs first, while still producing the statistics the country needs. Key Takeaways The 2026 Annual Business Survey, collected during 2027, will drop owner questions on race, ethnicity, sex, place of birth, U.S. citizenship and age [1]. Census says estimates for that data will instead be produced using administrative data [1]. Some owner questions, such as disability and education level, will remain while research continues [1]. The survey will sample 230,000 businesses and nonprofits, and responses are required by law [1]. Public comments are due by Dec.