The U.S. population is becoming more diverse. The non-white population of the country has nearly doubled in the last four decades, growing from about 24% of the population in 1990 to over 40% in 2023.
In 2023, 58% of the population identified as non-Hispanic white, 20% as Hispanic, 13% as Black, 6% as Asian or Pacific Islander, and 3% as other.
Of the 335 million people living in the U.S., 195 million identified as non-Hispanic white in 2023, or 12 out of every 20 people. This has decreased since 1990, when about 15 out of every 20 people identified as white.
The Hispanic population grew from 23 million in 1990 to 65 million in 2023—a 42 million increase. The Asian or Pacific Islander population also increased, from 7 million to 21 million.
This changes the racial landscape of the U.S.: the share of the population for both groups more than doubled, with Hispanics growing from 9% to 20% and Asians or Pacific Islanders from 2.8% to 6.4%. The Hispanic population is now the largest non-white group in the U.S.
The Black population increased from 29 million to 42 million people, while its share of the U.S. population remained relatively stable at 12.6%.
What is the fastest-growing racial group?
The Asian or Pacific Islander population is the fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in the country. Between 2000 and 2023, there was an almost 100% growth. In other words, a doubling of the population.
Along with the 83% growth of the Hispanic population between 2000 and 2023, the non-Hispanic multiracial population is also expanding; it grew by 137% between 2000 and 2023 from 3.5 million to 8.2 million people.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the multiracial population is projected to be the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the next four decades, followed by the Asian or Pacific Islander and Hispanic populations. The non-Hispanic white population is expected to continue declining.
Source: USA Facts