—Sylvester Loving, B1Daily

New demographic data from the United States Census Bureau shows that the share of Americans who identify as non-Hispanic white has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded, reflecting a major demographic shift in the country’s population.

According to the 2020 census, the non-Hispanic white population declined both in number and as a share of the overall population for the first time in U.S. history. The group fell from about 196 million people in 2010 to roughly 191 million in 2020, a decrease of more than 5 million people over the decade.

As a percentage of the population, non-Hispanic whites dropped from about 63.7% in 2010 to roughly 57–58% in 2020, marking the lowest share ever recorded since the census began in 1790.

Despite the decline, white Americans still remain the single largest racial group in the country. However, the overall population is becoming increasingly diverse as other groups grow faster. Hispanic and Asian populations in particular have seen strong growth over the past decade, while the number of people identifying as multiracial has risen significantly.

Demographers say several factors are driving the shift. Birth rates among white Americans have been lower compared with other groups, while immigration and higher birth rates among Hispanic and Asian communities have contributed to faster population growth. In addition, more Americans are identifying as multiracial or with multiple ethnic backgrounds, reflecting changing social attitudes and increasing interracial marriages.

The demographic change is visible across the country. Census data shows the white population share declined in all 50 states during the last decade, and several states and major metropolitan areas now have populations where no single racial group holds a majority.

Experts say these trends are expected to continue in the coming decades as younger, more diverse generations grow into adulthood. While the United States remains a majority-white nation today, the country is steadily moving toward a more multiracial and multiethnic population.

The latest census figures highlight how dramatically the nation’s demographics have evolved in just one generation—illustrating a broader transformation that continues to reshape American society, politics, and culture.

—Sylvester Loving, B1Daily