10 May 2006
U.S. Diversity Increasing, Census Data Show
One-third of U.S. population is from a minority group
Washington – The population of the United States is becoming increasingly diverse this decade, with the minority population reaching 98 million in 2005, one-third of the total population of 296.4 million.
According to a May 10 news release from the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics remain the largest minority group in the United States, numbering almost 43 million. They are also the fastest growing segment of the population, having increased their numbers by more than 1 million in the year from 2004 to 2005 alone.
The growth of this single minority group accounted for almost half of the growth in the population at large during that period. The findings come in a report that is issued by the Census Bureau at mid-decade, halfway between the comprehensive population survey taken by law once every 10 years.
Blacks made up the second-largest minority group, numbering just under 40 million. This group increased by almost 500,000, or 1.3 percent from 2004 to 2005.
With a population of 14.4 million, Asians are the third-largest minority group in the United States, having increased their numbers by 3 percent from 2004 to 2005.
Some common trends are appearing in the data about these three minority groups. The median age among each group is lower than that of the U.S. population overall. The national median age – where half is younger, and half is older – is 36.2 years. Hispanics are the youngest minority with a median age around 27; blacks are next with 30 being the median age. Asians are closer to the national trend, with a median age of 33 years.
The mid-decade survey also shows that 12 percent of the U.S. population is aged 65 or older. The number of those over 85 passed 5 million. On the other end of the life span, 20.3 million Americans are under age 5.
More information on the mid-decade report is available on the Census Bureau Web site.
