Moving Rates.org

Data from the 2010 U.S. census shows that the U.S. is moving South and West. Hispanics are helping this shift. The country gained a total 28.3 million people between 2000 and 2010. Census data shows that Hispanics accounted for more than half of the U.S. population increase during the period. Nearly one in six Americans are now Hispanic. Despite the gains in Hispanic population, the U.S. had its slowest population growth since the 1940 census.

Overall, the census found there were 196.8 million whites, 50.5 million Hispanics, 37.7 million Blacks, and 14.5 million Asians. Per the 2010 census, the total U.S. population is 308,745,538. There is also an increase in the number of multiracial persons, with more than nine million Americans identifying themselves as being from more than one race category. The Census Bureau does not ask about a person’s citizenship when taking the census. Thus, it is unknown what percentage of the U.S. population is not a legal U.S. resident.

Whites make up about 64 percent of the total population, down from 69 percent in the 2000 census. Whites will likely continue to lose ground as the largest racial group as the census bureau found their median age is 41, higher than other racial groups. They have low birth rates and lower amounts of immigration. At least ten states have more than 50 percent of their under 18 population being minorities including: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.

A bit surprising from the census is that it found that Hispanic population was actually the most rapid in the South. Many southern states have seen their Hispanic populations double in the past decade including Louisiana, North Carolina, and Alabama.

The demographic changes are already having an impact politically. Based on the 2010 census, there will be a shift of 12 Congressional seats and electoral votes affecting 18 states starting in the 2012 elections. State population figures from the census determine how the 435 congressional seats are allocated. Texas and Florida were the two states with the largest population increases, gaining four and two seats, respectively. Both of these states are Republican-leaning. However, Hispanics typically are Democrat-leaning.

The U.S. moving south and west has shifted the population center of the country about 30 miles and it is now located near the village of Plato in Texas County, Missouri, which is in the southern part of the state. Based on current trends, the population center is expected to shift into Arkansas or Oklahoma by mid-century.