A More Diverse America

The U.S. Census Bureau regularly publishes reports that highlight the changing demographic landscape of America. Most recently, the Census Bureau revealed that millennials (persons born between 1982 and 2000) number 83.1 million and represent more than one quarter of the nation’s population. Because millennials constitute such a large share of the U.S. population (they outnumber the baby boomers by 7.7 million) and are now in or entering their prime working years, their attitudes and preferences regarding employment and consumption will have profound impact on the U.S economy.

Millennials are also much more diverse with 44.2% identifying as a minority race or ethnic group. In terms of diversity, however, the generation coming up behind the millennials is even more so. The youngest Americans (those 5 years old or less) have become the first majority-minority population group  in the U.S. with 50.2% being part of a minority race or ethnic group.

Contributing to the growing diversity of the United States, every race or ethnic group recorded more births than deaths between 2013 and 2014 except single-race non-Hispanic Whites. As of July 2014:

·         The nation’s Hispanic population totaled 55.4 million, up by 2.1% over the year

·         The Asian population numbered 20.3 million, increasing by 3.2%

·         Native Americans and Alaska Natives numbered 6.5 million, up by 1.4%

·         Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders totaled 1.5 million, increasing by 2.3%

·         The Non-Hispanic white population was 197.9 million, up by 0.5% over the year

Five states have already reached overall minority-majority status: Hawaii (77.0%); the District of Columbia (64.2%); California (61.5%); New Mexico (61.1%); and Texas (56.5%).

California was home to the largest population of Hispanics (15.0 million) of any state, while Los Angeles claimed the largest Hispanic population of any county (4.9 million). Additionally, California and Los Angeles had the largest Asian population of any state and county with 6.3 million and 1.7 million respectively. Further reflecting the wide diversity of our state and county, California and Los Angeles also had more Native Americans and Alaska Natives among their residents than any other county or state.

Source: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2015/cb15-113.html