U.S. Population Now One-Third Minority
Friday May 12, 2006
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2005, the nation’s minority population totaled 98 million, or 33 percent, of the country’s total population of 296.4 million.
“These mid-decade numbers provide further evidence of the increasing diversity of our nation’s population,” said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon in a press release.
Hispanics continue to be the largest (42.7 million) and fastest growing minority group, followed by blacks (39.7 million) and Asians (14.4 million). Hispanics accounted for almost half (1.3 million, or 49 percent) of the national population growth of 2.8 million between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005.
Also See:
Number of ‘Majority-Minority’ States Grows
Nearly 1-in-5 Speak Foreign Language at Home
Comments
Does this number take into account all the (white) people who are deceptive about their race/ethnic background because they think it’ll help them get into a certain school? Or to get money that was supposed to benefit another group? People seem to do what’s convenient, ethics be damned.
See New York Times:
Seeking Ancestry, and Privilege, In DNA Ties Uncovered by Tests http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/12/us/12genes.html
What people tell the U.S. Census, truthful or not, has no effect whatsoever on their ability to get into a certain school, get a certain job, get government contracts, or qualify for any state or federal benefit. The Times article is not about, nor does it make any reference to people attempting to deceive the census as a means to accomplishing those goals. What lying about race on the census could, in very extreme circumstances, affect is a city or state’s ability to qualify for federal funding of certain projects, or the levels at which existing projects are funded. However, it would take a concerted effort by thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people, something a federal agency is likely to notice. And, as the census says, “The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as separate and distinct concepts. In surveys and censuses, separate questions are asked on Hispanic origin and race. The question on Hispanic origin asks respondents if they are Spanish, Hispanic or Latino. Starting with Census 2000, the question on race asks respondents to report the race or races they consider themselves to be. Thus, Hispanics may be of any race.”