> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/engage/direct-contacts/add-demographics-data.md).

# Add Demographics Data

Learn how to enter demographic data for a direct contact record in PEARS.

The Demographics section records the number of people contacted and their demographic breakdown by communication method, gender, age, and race and ethnicity.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Enter Total Contacts

In the **Total** field, enter the total number of people contacted. This number must be greater than zero.
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{% step %}

#### Enter Communication Method Totals

In the **Communication Methods** table, enter the number of contacts made through each method:

* **Email**
* **In Person**
* **Phone**
* **Social Media**
* **Text**
* **Video Conference**
* **Other**

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The sum of all communication method totals must equal the total number of contacts.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Gender Data

Enter the number of contacts for each gender category:

* **Female**
* **Male**
* **Non-Binary** (2023+ reporting periods)
* **Prefer not to respond**
* **Unknown**

The sum of all gender values must equal the total.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Age Data

Enter the number of contacts for each age category. Age categories include youth ranges, adult ranges, and unknown/prefer not to respond.

The sum of **Total youth**, **Total adults**, **Prefer not to respond**, and **Unknown** must equal the total.

{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** The specific age categories available depend on your reporting period. 2023+ reporting periods split **60 years or older** into **60 – 75 years** and **76 years or older**.
{% endhint %}
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{% step %}

#### Enter Ethnicity Data (reporting periods before 2027)

Enter the number of contacts for each ethnicity category:

* **Hispanic / Latino**
* **Non-Hispanic / Latino**
* **Prefer not to respond**
* **Unknown**

The sum must equal the total.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Race Data (reporting periods before 2027)

The Race table has two columns. In the **One Race Only** column, count the contacts who identified with a single race. In the **2 or More Races** column, count the contacts who identified with more than one race, counting each of them once for every race that applies. Then enter how many contacts identified with more than one race in **# Unique participants with 2 or more races**; **# Unique participants with one race only** is calculated for you.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The five **One Race Only** race counts plus **Prefer not to respond**, **Unknown**, and **# Unique participants with 2 or more races** must add up to the total. No entry in the **2 or More Races** column can exceed the **# Unique participants with 2 or more races** count.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Enter Race and Ethnicity Data (2027 and later reporting periods)

Starting with the 2027 reporting period, a single **Race and Ethnicity** table replaces the Ethnicity and Race tables. In the **One Race/Ethnicity Only** column, count the contacts who identified with a single category. In the **2 or More** column, count the contacts who identified with more than one category, counting each of them once for every category that applies:

* **American Indian or Alaska Native**
* **Asian**
* **Black or African American**
* **Hispanic or Latino**
* **Middle Eastern or North African**
* **Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander**
* **White**
* **Prefer not to respond**
* **Unknown**

Then enter how many contacts identified with more than one category in **# Unique Participants with Two or More Races/Ethnicities**; **# Unique Participants with One Race/Ethnicity Only** is calculated for you.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**NOTE:** The **One Race/Ethnicity Only** counts plus **Prefer not to respond**, **Unknown**, and **# Unique Participants with Two or More Races/Ethnicities** must add up to the total. No entry in the **2 or More** column can exceed the **# Unique Participants with Two or More Races/Ethnicities** count. A direct contact record uses this table when its reporting period is 2027 or later; earlier records keep the separate Ethnicity and Race tables.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

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#### Save and Continue

Click **Save and Continue** to save the demographics and proceed to the next section.
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{% hint style="info" %}
**TIP:** If your organization uses the Community Relationships (CRM) module, you may be able to auto-calculate demographics from your CRM interaction data for the matching date range. See [Auto Calculate Direct Contact Demographics](/engage/direct-contacts/auto-calculate-demographics.md).
{% endhint %}