White Population Ratio in the US Declines for the First Time Ever... Asian and Hispanic Populations Fill the Gap

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Baek Jong-min] A survey has revealed that the proportion of white Americans has declined for the first time since the founding of the United States. Unlike whites, the proportions of Asian and Hispanic populations are rapidly increasing, expanding the diversity of the U.S. population.

According to the results of last year's U.S. Census released on the 12th (local time), the proportion of whites stood at 57.8%. This is a significant drop compared to the 63.7% reported in the 2010 census.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that this is the first time the white population share has decreased in a census. The New York Times (NYT) interpreted the decline as a result of aging and lower birth rates among whites.

In contrast to the decline in the white population share, the proportions of Asians and Hispanics are on the rise.

Over the past decade, the U.S. population grew by 7.4% to 331 million, with 51% of the increase attributed to Hispanics. The Asian population also grew by about 36%.

The New York Times reported that 25% of Americans are either Hispanic or Asian.

The census results also highlighted a notable slowdown in the U.S. population growth rate. WSJ noted that the U.S. population growth rate was the second lowest since the Great Depression in the 1930s. Thanks to Asians and Hispanics, the U.S. was able to maintain its population growth rate.

NYT introduced opinions that various policies need to change in response to the increasingly diverse population composition.

William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution, told NYT, "The U.S. population is aging and population growth is slowing, but people of color are driving us forward," adding, "This is a pivotal moment in terms of racial diversity."

Along with changes in population proportions, the phenomenon of increasing populations in large cities and decreasing populations in small towns, suburbs, and rural areas is accelerating.

Fifty-two percent of U.S. counties, which are military-grade administrative districts, experienced population decline over the past decade. Rural populations have moved to large cities.

The ranking of major U.S. cities has also changed. The top five U.S. cities are New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Phoenix. Phoenix’s population growth rate reached 11.2%, surpassing Philadelphia to become one of the top five cities.

The census results are also used to adjust the number of seats in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College.

Texas will gain two additional House seats, while Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon will each gain one seat.

California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia will each lose one House seat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.