Numbers in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Show Relationship between Age and Diversity
(Kurt Metzger, July 16, 2022)
Oakland County, MI – One of the major findings from the 2020 Census was a significant increase in racial diversity over the course of the decade, both in the population as a whole, and children in particular.
Children are at the leading edge of the nation’s growing diversity. In all, 52.7 percent of U.S. population under age 18 belonged to a minority group in 2020 compared to 39.2 percent of the population over age 18. The greater diversity among children is the result of two diverging trends. Over the past decade, the minority child population increased by 11.8 percent to 38.5 million, despite a modest decline in the number of non-Hispanic Black children. During the same period, the non-Hispanic White child population diminished by 12.9 percent to 34.6 million.
Hispanics represent 25.7 percent of the under 18 population compared to 16.8 percent of the population over 18. The multiracial child population also includes a larger share of the child population (6.7 percent) than of the adult population (3.3 percent). A similar pattern exists among non-Hispanic Blacks, Native Peoples, and those of “some other” races. Only non-Hispanic Whites and Asians comprise a smaller share of the nation’s child population than of the adult population.
A view of the racial composition of the population by age in the tri-county area illustrates a pattern of an increasing “population of color” as one proceeds down the age structure. While SE Michigan trails the nation in its share of “non-white” population, the future of increasing diversity is clearly “in the cards.”
Macomb County (Fig. 1) saw its white, non-Hispanic population decrease by 40,000 between 2010 and 2020, dropping its overall share from 83.9 to 75.5 percent. African Americans experienced the largest numerical increase, followed by Asians, Hispanics and Mixed-Race individuals. The chart shows that, while the population 65 years and over is about 90 percent white, non-Hispanic, the population less than 10 years of age is about 66 percent.
Oakland County (Fig. 2) saw its white, non-Hispanic population decrease by 24,000 between 2010 and 2020, dropping its overall share from 75.1 to 69.0 percent. Asians experienced the largest numerical increase (up 38,000), followed by Hispanics, African Americans and Mixed-Race individuals. The chart shows that, while the population 65 years and over is about 81 percent white, non-Hispanic, the population less than 10 years of age is about 64 percent.
Wayne County (Fig. 3), which is the only county with a majority non-white population, saw its white, non-Hispanic population decrease by 45,000 between 2010 and 2020, dropping its overall share from 49.6 to 47.8 percent. African Americans continued to decrease in numbers (down 63,000), as they migrated to the Macomb and Oakland suburbs or left the region. Hispanics experienced the largest numerical increase, followed by Asians and Mixed-Race individuals. The chart shows that, while the population 65 years and over is about 59percent white, non-Hispanic, the population less than 10 years of age is about 40.5 percent.
For more stories about the Census and other interesting numbers, visit the Data-Base Stories Archives on Oakland County Times. Thanks to Data Expert Kurt Metzger for this work!
