Race And Ethnicity In The United States

The United States has a racially and ethnically diverse population.[1] At the federal level, race and ethnicity have been categorized separately. The most recent United States census recognized five racial categories (White, African Americans, Native American/Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander), as well as people who belong to two or more of the... While previous censuses inquired about the "ancestry" of residents, the current form asks people to enter their "origins".[5][2][3][4] White Americans are the majority in every census-defined region (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West) and 44 out of 50 states, except Hawaii,[6] California,[7] Texas,[8] New Mexico,[9] Nevada,[10] and Maryland.[11] Those identifying as white alone... Currently, 55% of the African American population lives in the South.[4] A plurality or majority of the other official groups reside in the West. The latter region is home to 42% of Hispanic and Latino Americans, 46% of Asian Americans, 48% of Native Americans and Alaska Natives, 68% of Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, 37% of the...

Each of the five inhabited US territories is fairly homogeneous, though each comprises a different primary ethnic group. American Samoa has a high percentage of Pacific Islanders, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are mostly Asian and Pacific Islander, Puerto Rico is mostly Hispanic/Latino (racially composed of whites, blacks, and mixed-race people... The first United States census in 1790 classed residents as free white people (divided by age and sex), all other free persons (reported by sex and color), and enslaved people. The 2000 census officially recognized six racial categories including people of two or more races; a category called "some other race" was also used in the census and other surveys, but is not official.[2][3][4]... An official website of the United States government Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. NOTE: On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published the results of its review of Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15) and issued updated standards for maintaining, collecting, and presenting race/ethnicity data across federal agencies. The Census Bureau is working to implement the updates in all its programs as expeditiously as possible.

The information on this page references the 1997 SPD 15. The Census Bureau collects race data according to U.S. Office of Management and Budget guidelines, and these data are based on self-identification. People may choose to report more than one race group. People of any race may be of any ethnic origin. In 2025, the racial demographics of the United States reflect a nation in the midst of dynamic transformation, shaped by decades of immigration, birth rate fluctuations, and changing cultural norms.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2024 Population Estimates offer a detailed picture of these shifts, highlighting how racial identity in America is becoming increasingly diverse and multifaceted. The implementation of new federal standards for race and ethnicity data collection by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in March 2024 has also refined how Americans are classified and counted, leading to... This evolving racial landscape is not just a statistical phenomenon but a force that directly influences national priorities and social outcomes. From resource distribution to policy formation, race data underpins key decisions that impact education, healthcare, housing, and political representation. As of mid-2024, the total U.S.

population stands at 341.5 million, with noticeable growth among Asian (+4.4%), multiracial (+2.4%), and Hispanic populations, while the white population continues a gradual annual decline of 0.1%. These changes underscore a broader trend toward a more racially and ethnically heterogeneous society—one that requires responsive governance, cultural understanding, and long-term planning at every level. In 2025, the racial demographics of the United States illustrate a complex and rapidly evolving society, shaped by both natural population changes and updated federal classification standards. According to the latest data, the total U.S. population stands at 341.5 million, with significant shifts observed across racial categories. The White population is experiencing a steady decline of 0.1% annually, while Asian Americans represent the fastest-growing racial group with an impressive 4.4% growth rate.

The Hispanic population remains the largest minority group, reflecting both high birth rates and sustained immigration. Additionally, the multiracial population is growing by 2.4% per year, emphasizing the increasing number of Americans who identify with more than one race. These patterns reflect changing social norms, intermarriage, and broader identification trends. Demographic differences extend beyond growth rates, with disparities in median age across races and regional concentrations shaping cultural and political landscapes. States like California, Texas, and New York continue to be the most racially diverse in the nation. The implementation of new OMB race and ethnicity standards in March 2024 has also enhanced how racial identities are captured, allowing for more granular and inclusive classifications.

This refined data informs federal and state-level decisions regarding education, healthcare, funding allocation, and representation. As racial diversity becomes more prominent, policymakers and institutions must adapt to meet the distinct needs of an increasingly heterogeneous population while ensuring equity and representation across racial lines. The racial percentage distribution in the United States for 2025 reveals a nation where non-Hispanic whites still constitute the majority at 57.6%, but this represents a significant shift from historical patterns. The Hispanic population has emerged as the largest minority group at 19.1%, followed by Black Americans at 14.0% and Asian Americans at 7.2%. The largest racial group in United States is White with a population of 210.88 million (63.44% of the total population). The table below shows United States's population by race.

Of the 5 race categories (excluding ethnicity) identified by the Census Bureau, namely American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and White; United States has... This confirms that United States's population has become increasingly diverse. The percent distribution of United States population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 63.44% are white, 12.36% are Black or African American, 0.88% are American Indian and Alaska Native, 5.82% are Asian, 0.19% are Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 6.60% are some other race... > > Home >> United States >> Race & Ethnicity The United States has a racially and ethnically diverse population.

The overall racial and ethnic diversity has further increased in the past few decades, according to U.S. Census Bureau. United States Census recognized five racial categories (White, Black or African American, Asian American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander) as well as people of two or more races (multi-racial) The Census Bureau also classified respondents as “Hispanic or Latino” or “Not Hispanic or Latino”, identifying Hispanic and Latino as an ethnicity (not a race), which comprises the largest minority group in the nation. As of 2020, White Americans are the racial and ethnic majority. Hispanic and Latino Americans (who may belong to any racial group) are the largest ethnic minority, while Black or African Americans are the largest racial minority.

also read about the Population of the United States The most prevalent racial or ethnic group in the United States was the White alone (non-Hispanic) population at 57.8%. This decreased from 63.7% in 2010. The Hispanic or Latino population was the second-largest racial or ethnic group, comprising 18.7% of the total population. Racial and ethnic groups in the United States encompass a diverse array of identities that reflect the nation's multicultural landscape. The U.S.

Census Bureau categorizes racial groups including Whites, Blacks, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, along with those identifying as multiracial or choosing "other." Ethnicity, while often intertwined with race, is... As of 2014, the population demographics indicated that approximately 77.5% of Americans identified as White, with significant populations of Latino/as (17.4%), Black (13.2%), Asian (5.4%), and Native American (1.2%). Each group faces unique socio-economic challenges, with disparities evident in areas such as education and income levels. For instance, while Asian Americans generally report higher educational attainment and income, these averages mask considerable variation among subgroups. Conversely, Black and Latino/a populations experience higher rates of poverty and lower educational achievements on average. Additionally, ongoing debates surround the collection of racial and ethnic data, highlighting its importance for understanding societal dynamics and addressing discrimination.

The evolving identities and demographics of racial and ethnic groups in America continue to shape the nation's cultural and social fabric. This article provides an overview of the demographic condition of racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Drawing on the racial and ethnic classifications used by the United States Census Bureau, it provides coverage of Whites, Blacks, Latino/as, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, as well as... Additionally, it considers the role of ethnic groups that are not part of the Census classifications, such as Irish, Jews, and Arabs. The article considers the current population, geographical distribution, and population trends of the various groups, as well as their standing on educational, economic, and other indicators. Collecting such data on race and ethnicity is controversial, and the article concludes by summarizing the debate over collecting data on race.

Keywords Census; Demography; Ethnicity; Mulatto; One-Drop Rule; Race; Social Construction; Stratification Racial and ethnic groups are groups that share a common racial or ethnic identity. While the terms "race" and "ethnicity" are often used interchangeably, they do have slightly different meanings. Racial groups are groups defined by the presence of real or imaginary physical differences between groups, such as skin color. While people may or may not identify with their race, most people have little choice about the racial group to which they are seen to belong. Ethnic groups, on the other hand, are groups defined by the presence of a real or imagined common history or culture.

People can generally choose the ethnic group with which they will identify and which they will be seen to belong. An official website of the United States government Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The 2020 Census used the required two separate questions (one for Hispanic or Latino origin and one for race) to collect the races and ethnicities of the U.S.

population — following the standards set by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 1997. Building upon our research over the past decade, we improved the design of the two separate questions and updated our data processing and coding procedures for the 2020 Census.

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