Census: There Are Now More Latinos in California Than Whites

By Kenrya Rankin Jul 09, 2015

Recently released Census figures show that Latinos now outnumber whites in California, making them the state’s largest ethnic group. The population count shows that as of July 1, 2014, there are 14.99 million Latinos living in California, versus 14.92 million white people. California is home to the nation’s largest Latino population, as well as the largest Asian population.

Demographers have been predicting the flip flop for years. “This is sort of the official statistical recognition of something that has been underway for almost an entire generation,” Roberto Suro, director of the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute at USC, told the Los Angeles Times. Experts expect the trend—driven by high birth rates—to continue, with Latinos accounting for 49 percent of all Californians by 2060.

Four states and the District of Columbia now have non-white majorities: Hawaii (77.0 percent of the population is something other than white), the District of Columbia (64.2 percent), California (61.5 percent), New Mexico (61.1 percent) and Texas (56.5 percent).