Live Updates: Census Bureau Announces Redistricting, Population Data from 2020 Census
The U.S. Census Bureau released redistricting data from the 2020 census on Thursday, commencing a nationwide effort to redraw congressional and state legislative district lines.
Between 2010 and 2020, U.S. population growth slowed, according to Census data. Most counties across the country lost population during the decade, while more populous counties tended to grow.
The data showed that the U.S. multiracial population was up 276% in 2020 compared to the previous decade. A U.S. Census Bureau authority said the rise is likely caused by design changes made to questions that collect race data and the processing of that data, in addition to demographic changes over the course of the decade.
"These changes reveal that the U.S. population is much more multiracial, and more racially and ethnically diverse, than what we measured in the past," said Nicholas Jones, the director of race, ethnicity, research and outreach for the U.S. Census Bureau's Population Division.
Meanwhile, the population of white, non-Hispanic people who didn't select a second race on the survey decreased for the first time in U.S. history. However, the population remains the largest racial group in the country.
The finalized redistricting data toolkit will be provided to the public by Sept. 30.
The live updates for this event have ended.
Florida Retirement Community is Fastest Growing Metropolitan Area in U.S.
Data from the 2020 Census shows that the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020 was a Florida retirement community called The Villages.
The community grew 39% between 2010 and 2020, bringing the population from around 93,000 to approximately 130,000.
In general, metropolitan areas throughout the U.S., including New York City and Los Angeles, tended to increase over the decade. The Villages only permits households with at least one resident aged 55 or older to live in the central Florida community.
Number of Housing Units Grew 6.7% Between 2010, 2020
The number of housing units across the U.S. grew 6.7% between 2010 and 2020. That growth rate is around half of what it was in the previous decade, according to 2020 Census results.
The U.S. Census Bureau said that the slowing of housing unit growth "was not unexpected" in a report released Thursday, citing the housing boom in the mid-2000s that increased supply and the 2007-2008 recession that vacated many units.
"Those issues, and the recovery that lasted well into the next decade, potentially reduced demand for new construction," the report said
10 Largest U.S. Cities Remained the Same From Previous Decade
The 10 most populous cities in the U.S. remained the same between 2010 and 2020, according to 2020 Census Data.
However, some of the rankings changed within the 10 cities. For example, Phoenix, Arizona, replaced Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the fifth largest U.S. city. Philadelphia grew the fastest out of the top 20 most populous cities, with 9.4% population growth.
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston make up the top four spots. In contrast to the previous decade, all 10 cities now have populations above one million, and all the cities grew throughout the decade.
Multiracial Population Up 276% in 2020 Compared to Previous Decade
The U.S. multiracial population, or the two or more races population, was up 276% in 2020 compared to the previous decade, according to 2020 Census data.
The U.S. Census Bureau believes the rise is because of design changes made to two separate questions that collect race data and the processing of that data, in addition to demographic changes over the course of the decade.
"The improvements and updates enabled a more thorough and accurate depiction of how people self-identify, yielding a more accurate portrait of how people report their Hispanic origin and race within the context of a two-question format. These improvements reveal that the U.S. population is much more multiracial and diverse than what we measured in the past," a U.S. Census Bureau report said.
While the White alone non-Hispanic population remains the most prevalent racial or ethnic group in the U.S. at 57.8%, it decreased from 63.7% in 2010.
Multiracial populations accounted for most of the change in each race category in the 2020 Census #NVRedistricting #NevadansCount pic.twitter.com/EiEhV7t6cp
— Institute for a Progressive Nevada (@ProgressForNV) August 12, 2021
Hawaii, California Ranked Highest on Diversity Index
Hawaii, California, Nevada, Texas and New York were the states ranked highest in the diversity index in 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Hawaii had highest diversity index, followed by California. However, all of these states had a diversity index of 65% or more.
The West was the region with the highest overall diversity index ranking, according to 2020 Census results.
Overall, the U.S. was much more multi-racial and racially and ethnically diverse than it was in past decades, said Nicholas Jones, director and senior adviser of race and ethnic, research and outreach from the population division of the Census Bureau.
Only 1930s Had Slower Population Growth than 2020s, Census Bureau Says
The decade between 2010 and 2020 marked a slowing in U.S. population growth, with only the 1930s showing slower population growth, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Most counties across the country lost population during the decade, while more populous counties tended to grow. Additionally, population growth was mostly concentrated in metropolitan areas of the U.S.
Three States Declined in Population Between 2010 and 2020
Illinois, Mississippi and West Virginia are the three U.S. states whose population declined between 2010 and 2020, according to results from the 2020 Census.
The negative population growth in the three states marks a nationwide slowing in population growth since 1990 and 2000, with more states seeing moderate or low population growth than previous decades.
Most states in the West remained in the fastest growth category, while more low, moderate and negative growth was seen in other regions.
