EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12:01 A.M. EDT, SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 (THURSDAY) Robert Bernstein CB03-143 Public Information Office (301) 763-3030/457-3670 (fax) State contacts (301) 457-1037 (TDD) Detailed tables e-mail: pio@census.gov Quotes & radio sound bites First County Population Estimates by Race and Ethnicity Since 2000 Show Diversity Changing Local Demographics The U.S. Census Bureau today issued its first county population estimates by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin since Census 2000, pinpointing at the local level what was previously found to be the case for the nation and the states -— that America is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. The estimates for the nation's 3,141 counties were as of July 1, 2002. The race data presented below cover the population who reported as one race alone or as one race in combination with one or more races. The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as distinct concepts. Separate questions are asked on Hispanic origin and race. For further details, see U.S. Census Bureau Guidance on the Presentation and Comparison of Race and Hispanic-Origin Data (June 12, 2003). The findings which follow are for counties with a minimum population of 100,000: - American Indians and Alaska natives -— Los Angeles County had the largest population (156,000); in Navajo County, Ariz., American Indians made up the highest percentage of the total population (50 percent); another Arizona county, Maricopa, had the largest numerical increase from 2000 to 2002 (9,000) and Fairfax County, Va., showed the highest percentage jump (45 percent). - Asians -— Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest population (1.3 million) and the largest numerical increase (47,000); in Honolulu County, Hawaii, Asians made up the highest share of the total population (62 percent); and Forsyth County, Ga., had the largest percentage increase (139 percent). - Blacks -— Cook County, Ill., had the largest population (1.4 million); in Orleans Parish, La., blacks made up the highest proportion of the total (68 percent); Broward County, Fla., had the largest numerical increase from 2000 to 2002 (50,000); and Forsyth County, Ga., the largest percentage increase (88 percent). - Hispanics (may be of any race) -— Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest population (4.5 million) and numerical increase (300,000); Webb County, Texas, was the county where Hispanics comprised the highest proportion of the total population (95 percent); and Henry County, Ga., had the largest percentage increase (46 percent). - Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders -— Honolulu County, Hawaii, had the largest population (179,000); in Hawaii County, Hawaii, native Hawaiians made up the largest percentage of the total (30 percent); Bronx County, N.Y., had the largest numerical increase (4,000) and Delaware County, Ohio, the largest percentage increase (130 percent). Age Data - Children under age 18 -— Los Angeles County, Calif., was the county with the largest population of children (2.7 million); in Webb County, Texas, children comprised the highest percentage of the total population (36 percent); Maricopa County, Ariz., had the largest numeric increase (84,000); and Forsyth County, Ga., had the largest percentage increase (19 percent). - People age 65 and over -— Los Angeles County, Calif., had the largest population (955,000) and the largest numerical increase (29,000) of 65-and-over people; in Charlotte County, Fla., this age group constituted the highest percentage of the total population (34 percent); and in Douglas County, Colo., people 65 and over registered the largest percentage increase (19 percent). Similar population estimates for states also were released today. The Census Bureau makes county population estimates using administrative records in "a demographic-change model." The estimates of population change since the most recent census use data on births, deaths and migration.-X-
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