MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Minorities make up a third of the US population

United States is following on the steps of its most populated states such as California and Texas where the sum of the ethnic and racial minorities is equivalent to half the population according to the latest report from the Census Office.

Non Hispanic whites currently make up two thirds of the US population, but his percentage is forecasted to contract to 50% by 2050.

Between April 2000 and July 2004 the US population grew 4,3% reaching 293.700.000, while the black population increased 5,7% to 39.300.000. However Asians jumped 16,2% to 14.000.000 and Hispanics 17% reaching 41.300.000.

This means that the white population totalled 197.800.000 with a 1,1% and the rest or "minorities" advanced 11,6% totalling 95.800.000.

The census shows that Texas on July 2004 had 11.300.000 ethnic and racial minorities which was equivalent to 50,2% of the state's total population.

"Our future in Texas is ever more linked to our minority groups' population. If education and health keep lagging we'll be less competitive in the global economy", warned Steven Murdock, demographic expert from Texas.

Ethnic and racial minorities make more than half the population is Hawaii (77%), New Mexico 56,5%, California 55,5% and now Texas has crossed the line.

Maryland, Mississippi, Georgia, New York and Arizona, minorities already represent over 40% of total population.

Currently New York has the largest black minority, 3,5 million and California the most Hispanics, 12,4 million and Asian 4,6 million.

Hispanic women have the highest fertility rate with an average three children, followed by blacks with 2,3 and non Hispanic whites 1,9 children.

The latest census also showed that among counties Los Angeles has the largest Hispanic population, 4,6 million and Asian 1,4 million. Non Hispanic whites constitute 30% of the 9,9 million of the county. In Illinois, Cook county which hosts Chicago has the greatest black community, 1,4 million.

Actually Hispanics represent 36% of population in the five major counties of US, Cook County; Harris County (Houston, Tx); Maricopa in Arizona (Phoenix) and Orange county in California.

Mr. Murdock points out that Hispanic population is quite evenly spread in rural and urban areas of the states, contrary to blacks that tend to concentrate in cities.

Hispanics are the major ethnic group in four of five big cities, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso.

"This great diversity and permanent demographic change makes us a very dynamic country. This does not generate unease or commotion, rather is part of the great US melting pot", said Cecilia Muñoz from the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic group promoting civil rights.

However the "political muscle of Hispanics is slower than demography" and that is because a third of Hispanics are below 18 and many Hispanics are not citizens.