Washington, DC—According to new U.S. Census Bureau population estimate released today, Asians were the fastest growing race group. The nation’s Asian population totaled 21.0 million as of July 1, 2015, up 683,000, or 3.4 percent, since July 1, 2014. Their growth is due largely to net migration.
California had both the largest Asian population of any state (6.5 million) in July 2015, as well as the largest numeric increase (169,900). Hawaii was the nation’s only majority Asian state (56.0 percent).
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest Asian population of any county (1.7 million) in 2015 and the largest numeric increase (30,200) since 2014. Honolulu County and Kauai County, both in Hawaii, were the nation’s only majority Asian counties.
The nation’s Hispanic population totaled 56.6 million as of July 1, 2015, up by 1.2 million, or 2.2 percent, since July 1, 2014. Their growth is due largely to natural increase. California had the largest Hispanic population of any state (15.2 million) in 2015. Texas had the largest numeric increase within the Hispanic population since July 1, 2014 (250,495). New Mexico had the highest percentage of Hispanics at 48.0 percent. Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest Hispanic population of any county (4.9 million) in 2015, while Harris County, TX, had the largest numerical increase since 2014 (49,000).
The nation’s black or African American population totaled 46.3 million as of July 1, 2015, up 602,000, or 1.3 percent, since July 1, 2014. Their growth is due largely to natural increase. New York had the largest black population of any state or equivalent in 2015 (3.8 million). Texas had the largest numeric increase since July 1, 2014 (94,000). The District of Columbia had the highest percentage of blacks (50.0 percent), followed by Mississippi (38.3 percent).
The nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population totaled 6.6 million as of July 1, 2015, up 95,000, or 1.5 percent, since July 1, 2014. Their growth is due largely to natural increase. California had the largest American Indian and Alaska Native population of any state in 2015 (1.1 million), while Texas had the largest numeric increase since July 1, 2014 (12,300). Alaska had the highest percentage of American Indian and Alaska Natives (19.5 percent).
The nation’s white alone or in combination population totaled more than 255 million in 2015, up 0.5 percent since 2014.
California had the largest white alone or in combination population of any state on July 1, 2015 (29.8 million). Texas had the largest numeric increase of the white alone or in combination population (330,064). Vermont had the highest percentage of its population as white alone or in combination (96.6 percent).
Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest white alone or in combination population in 2015 (7.5 million). Maricopa County, Ariz., had the highest numeric increase since 2014 (55,700). Blaine County, Neb., led the nation in the percentage of population that was white alone or in combination in 2015 (over 99.0 percent).
