Washington, D.C. — This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released updated population estimates ahead of the 2030 Census. The new data provides an additional level of detail to the data released in March, which demonstrated that states with the most population growth are seeing the majority of that growth in metropolitan areas. The latest census estimates show demographic population shifts broken down by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin.

“The data confirms that population increases in rapidly-growing states are primarily occurring in metropolitan areas and driven by communities of color,” said John Bisognano, President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC). “This underscores the importance of redistricting reform that will produce fair representation for all Americans, including fortifying protections for communities of color against discriminatory maps, as many of the fastest-growing states—such as Florida and Texas—are already being sued for violating the rights of communities of color by drawing maps that diminish their voices at the ballot box. In order to ensure the next decade’s electoral maps are not gerrymandered further, the Voting Rights Act must remain strong and the courts must continue to enforce protections for voters of color.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, communities of color accounted for 100 percent of the population growth in the United States between 2023 and 2024. These communities were also the primary driver of population increases in the fastest-growing states, including Texas, Florida, Arizona and Utah. Metropolitan areas within these states—where a majority of statewide population growth is occurring—also reflect these trends. 

This round of census data shows the following growth patterns in these states: 

Texas: Statewide population growth in Texas was driven entirely by communities of color, while the statewide White population decreased. The Latino population alone accounted for the majority of statewide population growth, at 59 percent.  

The Lone Star State’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, such as Harris County, which is home to Houston, and Dallas County, mirrored the statewide population shifts. For example, communities of color drove 100 percent of the growth in Harris and Dallas Counties, and the White population decreased in both counties. The vast majority of population growth in these counties occurred in Latino communities, accounting for 85 percent of the growth in Dallas County and nearly 70 percent of the growth in Harris County.

Florida: Ninety percent of Florida’s statewide population increases took place in communities of color. This was predominantly driven by growth in the Sunshine State’s Latino communities, which accounted for 67 percent of statewide population growth. 

This trend was also reflected in metropolitan areas, where most of the statewide population growth is occurring. For example, in Miami-Dade County, 92 percent of the population growth was driven by communities of color, with nearly all of this growth occurring within the Latino population. Meanwhile, in Orange County, home to Orlando, communities of color accounted for 89 percent of the population growth, most of which occurred in the Latino population.

Arizona: More than 98 percent of Arizona’s statewide population growth took place in communities of color. Latino communities alone accounted for 62 percent of the Grand Canyon State’s growth. 

Arizona’s fastest-growing metropolitan area is seeing a similar trend. Communities of color accounted for 100 percent of the population growth in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix. The majority of that growth, 56 percent, came from the Latino community. Meanwhile, the White population in Maricopa County saw a decrease. 

Utah: Nearly 74 percent of Utah’s statewide growth occurred in communities of color, most of which occurred in the Latino population. 

The population in Salt Lake and Utah Counties accounted for 62 percent of Utah’s total growth, adding 37,605 people, with 82 percent of that combined growth coming from communities of color. In Salt Lake County, 100 percent of the population growth was driven by communities of color, while the White population decreased. Most of the population growth in Salt Lake County occurred in the Latino population, accounting for 64 percent of the county’s growth. Meanwhile, in Utah County, communities of color grew at a faster rate than the White population. Communities of color accounted for 55 percent of Utah County’s total population growth, with the majority of this growth attributed to the Latino population.

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