USA: Over 300 Counties Now Majority-Minority

Nearly one in every 10 of America’s 3,141 counties has a population that is more than 50 percent minority, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. Los Angeles County, California had the largest minority population in the country in 2006. At 7 million, or 71 percent of its total, Los Angeles County is home to one in every 14 of the nation’s minority residents.

Harris County, Texas gained 121,400 minority residents between 2005 and 2006, which led the nation. Harris (Houston is its largest city) now has a minority population of 2.5 million, comprising 63 percent of its total. Its minority population ranks third nationally, not far behind second place Cook County, Illinois (Chicago).

Based on total population, Starr County, Texas located on the Mexican border had the highest proportion of all counties that was minority, at 98 percent.

Highlights for the various groups:

Hispanic

• Los Angeles County had the largest Hispanic population (4.7 million) in 2006, followed by Harris County, Texas and Miami-Dade (1.5 million each).
• Maricopa County, Arizona (home of Phoenix) had the biggest numerical increase in the Hispanic population (71,000) since July 2005, followed by Harris County, Texas (63,000).
• Starr County, Texas had the highest Hispanic proportion of its total population in 2006, at 97 percent. In fact, each of the 11 counties with the highest Hispanic proportion of its total population was in Texas.

Black

• Cook County had the largest black population (1.4 million) in July 2006, followed by Los Angeles County (1 million).
• Harris County had the largest numerical increase (52,000) between 2005 and 2006, with East Baton Rouge Parish next (19,000).
• Claiborne County, Mississippi had a population that was 85 percent black in 2006, which led the nation. All 50 counties with the highest percentage black population were in the South.

Asian

• Los Angeles County had the largest Asian population (1.4 million) in 2006, with Santa Clara County, California (home of San Jose) the runner-up (556,000).
• Santa Clara County had the largest numerical increase (17,600) from 2005 to 2006, followed by Los Angeles (15,700).
• Honolulu County, Hawaii led the nation with a population that was 59 percent Asian. One other county – Kauai, Hawaii – was also majority Asian. San Francisco County, California led the continental United States, with 34 percent of its population Asian.

American Indian and Alaska Native

• Los Angeles County had the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2006 (150,000) with Maricopa County, Arizona ranking second (95,000).
• Maricopa County had the largest numerical increase between 2005 and 2006 (3,700), followed by Riverside County, California. (1,600).
• Shannon County, South Dakota led the country in 2006, with 88 percent of its total population of 13,800 being a member of this group in 2006. Shannon was first of 10 counties/county equivalents that were majority American Indian and Alaska Native.

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

• Honolulu County had the largest population of this race (177,000) in 2006, with Los Angeles County (59,000) second.
• Hawaii County, Hawaii and Clark County, Nevada (home of Las Vegas) had the largest numerical increases in this race since July 2005, around 900.

Non-Hispanic White Alone

• Los Angeles County had a nation leading 2.9 million residents who were part of this group in 2006, with Cook, Illinois, second at 2.4 million.
• The largest numerical increase from 2005 to 2006 belonged to Maricopa County, Arizona. (35,500). Wake, North Carolina (home of Raleigh), ranked second, gaining 18,700.
• Magoffin County, Kentucky with an estimated 13,400 total residents, and Mitchell County, Iowa with an estimated 10,900 total residents, led the nation with 98.9 percent of their population being non-Hispanic white alone in 2006.