Florida, with the highest proportion of 65-and-over people in the nation, also led all states with the largest numerical increase between 2000 and 2002 of school-age children ages 5-17, according to estimates today by the U.S. Census Bureau. At the same time, the 2002 estimates show 16 states now have at least one-third minority populations.

     Florida's increase of 147,000 school-age children gave it a total population in the 5- to 17-year-old range of 2.8 million, only slightly below the 2.9 million people in the Sunshine State who are 65 and over. (Table 1. [Excel])

     "Seven of the 10 states with the largest numerical growth in school-age populations were located in the 'Sun Belt,' as people of all ages continue to move to the South and West," said Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. Overall, 15 states saw the number of school-age children increase.

     Other states with big increases in school-age children were California (145,000) and Texas (122,000). Thirty-six others experienced decreases.

     "On the diversity front, looking at people of all ages, the estimates show that minorities constituted the majority in three states and the District of Columbia, signaling the continued increase in our nation's diversity," said Kincannon. The states that are majority-minority are Hawaii (77 percent), New Mexico (56 percent) and California (54 percent). (Table 2. [Excel]) The District of Columbia is 72 percent minority. (Minority populations include all people except those who reported they were both the single-race white and not Hispanic.)

     The estimates released today also provide information on the voting age population -- people age 18 and over -- in each state by race and Hispanic origin. (Table 3. [Excel])

     Key findings for selected race and ethnic groups for July 2002 follow. (The race data cover the population who reported as the specific race, whether or not they reported any other races.)

• Blacks -— New York had the largest population (3.6 million); in the District of Columbia, they comprised the highest proportion of the total (61 percent); Florida had the largest numerical increase (216,000) and Idaho the largest percentage increase (24 percent) since April 2000.
• American Indians and Alaska natives -— California had the largest population (683,000); in Alaska, they made up the highest proportion (19 percent); Arizona had the largest numerical increase (22,000) and Nevada the highest percentage jump (9 percent) since April 2000.
• Asians -— California had the largest population (4.5 million); in Hawaii, they made up the highest proportion of the population (58 percent); California had the largest numerical increase (265,000); and South Dakota had the largest percentage increase (21 percent) since April 2000.
• Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders -— Hawaii was the state with the largest population (271,000); it also was where they made up the largest proportion (22 percent); California had the largest numerical increase (13,000); and Oklahoma, the largest percentage increase (15 percent) since April 2000.
• Hispanics -— California had the largest population (11.9 million) and numerical increase (970,000) since April 2000; New Mexico was the state where they comprised the highest proportion of the total (43 percent); and Georgia had the largest percentage increase (19 percent) since April 2000.

     The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as distinct concepts. So 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).

     Similar population estimates for counties were also released today.

     The Census Bureau develops state population estimates using administrative records in "a demographic-change model." The method follows each birth cohort according to its exposure to mortality, fertility and migration. It estimates population change from the most recent census using data on births, deaths and migration.