NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Responds to New Census Data Which Reveals Changes in Nation's Racial and Ethnic Diversity

NEW YORK, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report revealing changes in the country's racial and ethnic diversity.  While the report reveals that non-Hispanic whites remain the country's largest major race group, there have also been significant increases in the country's minority population, which has grown considerably in the past decade.  The country's minority population increased from 86.9 to 111.9 million between 2000 and 2010, an increase of 29%.  

Other notable findings concern growth and demographic shifts among African Americans.  According to the Bureau, the Black population in the U.S. increased from 34.6 to 38.9 million between 2000 and 2010, representing an increase of 12%.  There have also been significant increases in the country's Hispanic and Latino population, which grew by more than 40%.

The report also revealed significant geographic shifts.  Texas joined California, the District of Columbia, Hawaii and New Mexico as "majority-minority states," while states in New England, including Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, retained the greatest share of non-Hispanic whites -- 94, 92, and 94 percent respectively.  Houston, Dallas and Atlanta were among metropolitan areas around the country that experienced large increases in population, adding more than 1 million residents over the past decade.

"The new Census data reveals that the U.S. is becoming increasingly racially diverse.  These trends have important implications as redistricting commences around the country. The redistricting process must take account of this demographic change to ensure that the maps produced reflect the changing profile of our communities," said Kristen Clarke, Co-Director of LDF's Political Participation Group.

A complete copy of the report can be found here: http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-02.pdf.

More information regarding the implications of this data for redistricting can be found at www.redrawingthelines.org.

ABOUT LDF

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.(LDF) is America's premier legal organization fighting for racial justice. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, LDF seeks structural changes to expand democracy, eliminate disparities, and achieve racial justice in a society that fulfills the promise of equality for all Americans. LDF also defends the gains and protections won over the past 70 years of civil rights struggle and works to improve the quality and diversity of judicial and executive appointments.

Media Contact: Mel Gagarin

(212) 965-2783, [email protected]

SOURCE NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund

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