The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Texas has now joined Hawaii, New Mexico and California as "majority-minority" state, in which the combined population of minorities exceeds the majority population.
According to July 1, 2004, population estimates, Texas had a minority population of 11.3 million, comprising 50.2 percent of its total population of 22.5 million. In comparison, 77 percent of Hawaii’s population was minority. In New Mexico and California, the proportions were 57 percent and 56 percent, respectively, while the District of Columbia was 70 percent minority.
The Census Bureau considers the minority population to include all people except non-Hispanic single-race whites.
Five states — Maryland, Mississippi, Georgia, New York and Arizona — are next in line with minority populations of about 40 percent.
The following Census Bureau race data highlights are for people reporting their specified race, whether or not they reported any other races, and for Hispanics (who may be of any race).
State and County Highlights
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest Hispanic population (4.6 million) in 2004 and the biggest numerical increase (76,400) since July 2003.
Cook County, Ill., had the largest black population (1.4 million), and Broward County, Fla., had the largest numerical increase (17,900) between 2003 and 2004.
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest Asian population (1.4 million) and the largest numerical increase (25,200) from 2003 to 2004.
Los Angeles County had the largest population of AIAN in 2004 (153,500), Maricopa County, Ariz., had the largest numerical increase between 2003 and 2004 (3,000).
Honolulu County, Hawaii, had the largest population of NHPI (183,200), and Clark County, Nev., registered the largest numerical increase (1,100) between 2003 and 2004.
