The racial makeup of the United States has changed drastically over the past century, with immigration from foreign countries and a population shift from rural areas to cities playing a major role in the transformation of the nation’s racial and ethnic profile. As of 2019, the majority of the U.S. population is identified as non-Hispanic white (60.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.5%), African American (13.4%), Asian (5.9%), and Native American (1.3%). These five racial-ethnic groups account for the vast majority of people living in the United States, though there is also a significant Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPIs) population, making up 0.2% of the population.
The United States is a diverse country, and this diversity is reflected in its racial makeup. Although the majority of the population is non-Hispanic white, minorities make up more than one-third of the population. The Hispanic or Latino population is the largest racial-ethnic minority group in the United States, with almost 18.5% of the population, followed by African Americans (13.4%), Asians (5.9%), and Native Americans (1.3%). The NHPIs population is much smaller, but still accounts for 0.2% of the population.
Immigration is a major factor that has shaped the racial makeup of the United States. Over the past few decades, the number of immigrants entering the country has increased significantly, resulting in a growing population of people from all different backgrounds. In 2019, immigrants accounted for 13.7% of the total population, up from 7.9% in 1980. This influx of immigrants has had a significant impact on the nation’s racial makeup, with foreign-born people representing a larger share of the population, particularly among the younger generations.
Furthermore, while non-Hispanic whites are still the majority racial group in the United States, their share of the population has declined steadily since 1960, when they made up 84% of the population. This is largely due to a slower growth rate for the white population compared to other racial-ethnic groups. On the other hand, the Asian population has grown the fastest among the major racial-ethnic groups, increasing by almost 200% between 2000 and 2019.
Racial-ethnic minorities are also more likely to live in urban areas. In 2019, 55.6% of non-Hispanic whites lived in urban areas, compared to 67.5% of Hispanics, 75.0% of African Americans, and 81.7% of Asians. This trend is driven in part by the large number of immigrants who settle in cities, where they have access to better job opportunities and services.
The changing racial makeup of the United States is also reflected in the country’s educational system. In 2019, non-Hispanic whites made up the majority of college students (53.6%), followed by Hispanics (15.6%), African Americans (14.4%), Asians (10.3%), and Native Americans (1.2%). However, the educational attainment gap between racial-ethnic groups is still wide, with non-Hispanic whites having a higher rate of college completion than other racial-ethnic groups.
Overall, the racial makeup of the United States is constantly evolving, and our nation is becoming increasingly diverse. From immigration to population shifts to educational attainment, the changes in the country’s racial makeup are reflective of the changes taking place in our society. It is important that we continue to recognize and celebrate the diversity of the United States, as it is an essential part of our national identity.
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