New population estimates for Mass. released, interactive map available
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau released 2015 estimates for populations by age, race, and Hispanic origin at the county level.
In brief:
- Massachusetts is older and less diverse that the U.S. as a whole, with a minority population of 26.5% compared to 38.4% in the U.S. However, the minority population is increasing here more quickly than the U.S. average – growing by 3.4 percentage points since 2010 (up from 23.1%) compared to a 2.3 point increase in the U.S. overall.
- Counties with the highest percent minority population include Suffolk (53.8%), Hampden (35.9%), and Essex (27.6%). The counties that have showed the greatest increase in percent minority since 2010 are Nantucket, Essex, and Norfolk.
- Counties with the lowest percent of minority population - Franklin, Berkshire, and Barnstable - are also among the oldest counties in the state, and the only three counties to have lost population since 2010.
The Institute's Population Estimates Program localizes national census estimates data for use by organizations, governments and individuals.
For more county-by-county information for Massachusetts, visit our interactive map.
June 24, 2016
