337 Million Americans — The Racial & Ethnic Breakdown of the United States 2026
The United States is one of the world’s most racially and ethnically diverse nations — a country of approximately 337–340 million people whose racial composition has been continuously transformed by immigration, birth rate differentials between racial groups, and changing patterns of racial self-identification. The US population by race in 2026 reflects the cumulative effect of more than two decades of demographic change since the 2000 Census. White non-Hispanic Americans remain the largest racial group at approximately 57–58% of the total population — approximately 195–200 million people — but this share has declined significantly from approximately 69% in 2000, representing one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in modern American history. The broader economic implications of US demographic change are tracked in our world largest economies analysis.
The second-largest group is Hispanic or Latino Americans at approximately 19% of the total population — approximately 65 million people. Hispanic/Latino is classified as an ethnicity by the US Census Bureau, not a race — meaning Hispanic people may identify as any race (White, Black, American Indian, Asian, or multiracial). The Hispanic population has been the fastest-growing major demographic group in the US over the 2000–2026 period, growing from approximately 35 million in 2000 to approximately 65 million in 2026 — an increase of approximately 86%. Black or African Americans represent approximately 13–14% of the total US population — approximately 47 million people — making them the third-largest racial group. The Black American population has grown from approximately 35–36 million in 2000 to approximately 47 million in 2026, though its share of the total has remained broadly stable as overall US population growth has been driven primarily by Hispanic and Asian immigration. The consumer spending power and economic contributions of diverse American communities are tracked in our US financial markets analysis.
Asian Americans represent approximately 6% of the total US population — approximately 22 million people — and have been the fastest-growing racial group by percentage growth over the 2000–2026 period, nearly doubling from approximately 11–12 million in 2000. Multiracial Americans (people who identify with two or more races) represent approximately 3–4% of the population — approximately 12 million people — though this figure was significantly affected by the 2020 Census’s revised approach to the race question, which resulted in many people previously classified as White alone being reclassified as multiracial. American Indian and Alaska Native populations represent approximately 1.3% (~4.5 million), and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations approximately 0.3% (~1 million). The US is becoming a “majority-minority” nation — a threshold where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes an absolute majority — a milestone projected to occur between approximately 2040 and 2050. The digital economy infrastructure serving increasingly diverse American consumers is analysed in our data centres statistics.
US Population by Race 2026 — All Groups (%)
US Population by Race — All Groups Ranked by Population (Millions)
White Non-Hispanic Americans — ~195 Million, ~57% of US Population 2026
White non-Hispanic Americans are the largest racial group in the United States with approximately 195–200 million people, representing approximately 57–58% of the total US population as of 2026. This group is defined by the US Census Bureau as people who identify their race as White and do not identify as Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The White non-Hispanic population has declined as a share of the total US population from approximately 69% in 2000 to approximately 57–58% in 2026 — a decline of approximately 11–12 percentage points in 26 years, driven primarily by the faster growth of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial populations through immigration and birth rate differentials. In absolute numbers, however, the White non-Hispanic population has remained relatively stable — growing slowly from approximately 194 million in 2000 to approximately 195–200 million in 2026, with population growth near zero or slightly negative in recent years as birth rates among White non-Hispanic Americans have fallen below replacement level. The economic output of the US population connects to the patterns tracked in our global financial markets report.
The White alone population (regardless of Hispanic origin) is significantly larger — approximately 233–235 million or approximately 69% of the total US population — because this figure includes White Hispanic people (Hispanic Americans who identify their race as White). The geographic distribution of the White non-Hispanic population is uneven: White non-Hispanic Americans are most concentrated in states like Maine (~93%), Vermont (~92%), West Virginia (~93%), and New Hampshire (~88%), while they represent smaller shares in Hawaii (~22%), California (~35%), New Mexico (~36%), and Texas (~41%). The US Census Bureau’s 2020 Census methodology changes resulted in a significant reclassification of some people previously counted as White alone to the multiracial category, making direct comparisons with 2000 and 2010 Census figures require adjustment. The technology economy serving all American consumers is analysed in our AI market statistics.
How Many Black People Are in the United States? ~47 Million in 2026
There are approximately 47 million Black or African American people in the United States as of 2026 — representing approximately 13–14% of the total US population. This figure refers to people who identify as Black or African American alone. When including people who identify as Black in combination with one or more other races (multiracial Black Americans), the total rises to approximately 48–49 million, or approximately 14–15% of the total US population. The Black American population has grown from approximately 35–36 million in 2000 to approximately 47 million in 2026 — an increase of approximately 30–33% over 26 years — though its share of the total US population has remained broadly stable at approximately 12–14% due to the rapid growth of other racial groups, particularly Hispanic and Asian populations. The purchasing power and economic significance of Black Americans is substantial: Black consumer spending power is estimated at approximately $1.4–1.6 trillion annually, tracked in our US economic analysis.
The geographic distribution of Black or African American people in the United States is concentrated in specific regions. The South is home to the largest share of Black Americans — states like Mississippi (~38%), Louisiana (~33%), Georgia (~33%), Maryland (~32%), and South Carolina (~27%) have the highest Black population shares. Metropolitan areas with large Black populations include Atlanta (Georgia), Washington D.C., Houston (Texas), Chicago (Illinois), New York City, Detroit (Michigan), and Baltimore (Maryland). In absolute numbers, the states with the largest Black populations are Texas (~3.9 million), Georgia (~3.8 million), Florida (~3.7 million), New York (~3.6 million), and California (~2.8 million). The cultural and economic impact of Black Americans on US media, music, sports, and digital platforms connects to the trends tracked in our YouTube and digital media statistics.
Approximately 47 million Black or African Americans live in the United States as of 2026 — representing approximately 13–14% of the total US population of approximately 337–340 million. This makes Black or African Americans the third-largest racial group in the US, after White non-Hispanic (~195–200M) and Hispanic/Latino (~65M). The Black American population has grown by approximately 30–33% since 2000 (from approximately 35–36 million). The largest Black American communities are in Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, and California. Mississippi has the highest share of Black residents at approximately 38% of the state’s population.
Hispanic & Latino Americans — ~65 Million, the Fastest-Growing Major Group
Hispanic or Latino Americans represent approximately 19% of the total US population — approximately 65 million people as of 2026. Hispanic/Latino is classified by the US Census Bureau as an ethnicity, not a race — meaning Hispanic people can identify as any race (White, Black, American Indian, Asian, or multiracial). The majority of Hispanic Americans (approximately 70–75%) identify their race as White on the Census, which is why the “White alone” count (~233M) is significantly larger than “White non-Hispanic” (~195–200M). The Hispanic American population has been the fastest-growing major demographic group in the United States over the 2000–2026 period — growing from approximately 35 million in 2000 to approximately 65 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 86% in 26 years. This growth has been driven by both immigration (primarily from Mexico, Central America, and South America) and higher birth rates relative to the national average. The economic output of Hispanic Americans — estimated at over $3 trillion in GDP contribution annually — connects to the broader market trends in our stock market statistics.
The Hispanic American population is concentrated in the Southwest and select metropolitan areas. New Mexico (~49%), California (~40%), Texas (~40%), Arizona (~32%), and Nevada (~29%) have the highest Hispanic population shares. The states with the largest absolute Hispanic populations are California (~15.5 million), Texas (~12.5 million), Florida (~5.6 million), New York (~3.9 million), and Arizona (~2.3 million). Metropolitan areas with large Hispanic populations include Los Angeles, New York City, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Miami. The largest Hispanic national-origin groups in the US are Mexican Americans (approximately 62–63% of all Hispanic Americans), followed by Puerto Ricans (~9%), Salvadorans (~4%), Dominicans (~4%), Cubans (~4%), and Guatemalans (~3%). The digital media consumption of Hispanic Americans is analysed in our Spotify streaming statistics.
Asian Americans — ~22 Million, the Fastest-Growing by Percentage Since 2000
Asian Americans represent approximately 6% of the total US population — approximately 22 million people as of 2026 — making them the fourth-largest racial group in the United States. Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing racial group by percentage over the 2000–2026 period, having grown from approximately 11–12 million in 2000 to approximately 22 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 83–88%. This growth has been driven primarily by immigration from East Asia (China, South Korea, Japan), South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh), and Southeast Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand). The Indian American community has grown particularly rapidly, driven by H-1B skilled worker visa immigration and family reunification, and Indian Americans now represent a major and economically significant community concentrated in the technology industry. Asian Americans as a group have the highest median household income of any racial group in the US at approximately $98,000–$105,000 annually, and the highest educational attainment rates — statistics that reflect significant internal diversity between different Asian national-origin groups. The technology and fintech industries powered significantly by Asian American talent connect to trends tracked in our fintech statistics.
US Population by Race — Trends & Changes 2000 to 2026
The 2000–2026 period has seen the most dramatic transformation of the US racial and ethnic composition in the country’s modern history. Four major structural trends define this period: (1) The decline of the White non-Hispanic share from approximately 69% (2000) to approximately 57–58% (2026) — a 11–12 percentage point decline over 26 years. (2) The doubling of the Hispanic share from approximately 13% (2000) to approximately 19% (2026) — driven by immigration and higher birth rates. (3) The near-doubling of the Asian American population from approximately 4% to approximately 6% — driven by skilled worker immigration from South and East Asia. (4) The explosion of multiracial self-identification — partly reflecting genuine increases in multiracial families, and partly reflecting the 2020 Census’s revised methodology. These trends collectively reflect an America that is steadily becoming more diverse — a demographic shift with profound implications for politics, consumer markets, cultural production, and economic policy. The connection between demographic change and market dynamics is tracked in our global market conversion statistics.
US Population by Race — Trend 2000–2026 (Share %)
US Population — 2000 vs 2010 vs 2020 vs 2026 by Race (%)
US Population by Race — Full Data Table 2000–2026
| Race / Ethnicity | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2026E | Population 2026E | Change 2000–2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 White non-Hispanic | 69.1% | 63.7% | 57.8% | ~57–58% | ~195–200M | -11–12pts |
| 🇺🇸 Hispanic / Latino | 12.5% | 16.3% | 18.7% | ~19% | ~65M | +6.5pts |
| 🇺🇸 Black / African American | 12.3% | 12.6% | 12.4% | ~13–14% | ~47M | +1pt |
| 🇺🇸 Asian American | 3.6% | 4.8% | 5.9% | ~6% | ~22M | +2.4pts |
| 🇺🇸 Multiracial (2+ races) | 2.4% | 2.9% | 10.2%* | ~3–4% | ~12M | +1–2pts |
| 🇺🇸 Amer. Indian / Alaska Native | 0.9% | 0.9% | 1.1% | ~1.3% | ~4.5M | +0.4pts |
| 🇺🇸 Native Hawaiian / Pac. Islander | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.2% | ~0.3% | ~1M | +0.2pts |
| 🇺🇸 Some Other Race | 5.5% | 6.2% | 8.4%* | ~2–3% | ~8M | varies |
* 2020 Census revised race question methodology resulted in significant reclassification vs 2010. 2026 estimates adjusted for comparability.
US Population by Race — Key Statistics 2026
US Population by Race — Composition Donut 2026
US Population by Race — Forecast & Projections to 2050
The US Census Bureau’s 2023 National Population Projections project the United States reaching a majority-minority composition — where no single racial group constitutes an absolute majority of the population — sometime between approximately 2040 and 2050. White non-Hispanic Americans are projected to decline from approximately 57–58% in 2026 to approximately 44–47% by 2050, falling below 50% for the first time. The Hispanic/Latino population is projected to grow from approximately 19% in 2026 to approximately 26–28% by 2050 — making Hispanic Americans the second-largest group approaching the size of White non-Hispanic Americans. The Asian American population is projected to grow from approximately 6% to approximately 8–9% by 2050, with Indian Americans and Chinese Americans expected to be the fastest-growing subgroups. The Black American population is projected to grow modestly from approximately 13–14% to approximately 14–15% by 2050. The Multiracial population is projected to grow significantly from approximately 3–4% to approximately 6–8% by 2050 as interracial families become more common and racial self-identification continues to evolve. The economic implications of this demographic transformation connect to the trends tracked in our world economies analysis.
The key drivers of racial demographic change through 2050 are: (1) Immigration — the US admits approximately 1 million legal immigrants annually plus significant numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, with the largest flows coming from Mexico, India, China, the Philippines, and Central America; (2) Birth rate differentials — Hispanic, Black, and Asian American birth rates are higher than White non-Hispanic birth rates, though these differentials are narrowing as all groups’ fertility rates decline; (3) Multiracial family formation — interracial marriages and partnerships have increased dramatically since the 1960s Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court ruling and now account for approximately 11–12% of all new marriages; (4) Changing self-identification — younger Americans are increasingly likely to identify as multiracial or to reject traditional binary racial categories altogether. These demographic trends have profound implications for consumer markets, political representation, cultural production, and economic policy. The digital platforms shaping how diverse American communities engage with media are analysed in our social media statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions — US Population by Race
As of 2026, there are approximately 47 million Black or African American people in the United States, representing approximately 13–14% of the total US population of approximately 337–340 million. This figure refers to people identifying as Black or African American alone. Including multiracial individuals who identify as Black in combination with another race, the total rises to approximately 48–49 million (~14–15%). The Black American population grew from approximately 35–36 million in 2000 to approximately 47 million in 2026. The states with the largest Black populations are Texas (~3.9M), Georgia (~3.8M), Florida (~3.7M), New York (~3.6M), and California (~2.8M). Mississippi has the highest share of Black residents at approximately 38%.
As of 2026, there are approximately 195–200 million White non-Hispanic people in the United States, representing approximately 57–58% of the total US population. When including White Hispanic people (who identify as White and Hispanic), the total White alone population (regardless of Hispanic origin) is approximately 233–235 million or approximately 69% of the total US population. The White non-Hispanic share has declined from approximately 69% in 2000 to approximately 57–58% in 2026. States with the highest White non-Hispanic share include Maine (~93%), Vermont (~92%), West Virginia (~93%), and New Hampshire (~88%).
US population by race 2026 (estimated): White non-Hispanic ~57–58% (~195–200M), Hispanic/Latino ~19% (~65M), Black/African American ~13–14% (~47M), Asian ~6% (~22M), Multiracial/Two or more races ~3–4% (~12M), American Indian/Alaska Native ~1.3% (~4.5M), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ~0.3% (~1M). Total US population approximately 337–340 million in 2026. Note: Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race — Hispanic people can identify as any race.
There are approximately 47 million African Americans (Black or African American people) in the United States as of 2026. This represents approximately 13–14% of the total US population. African Americans are the third-largest racial group in the US after White non-Hispanic Americans (~195–200M) and Hispanic/Latino Americans (~65M). The African American population has grown from approximately 35–36 million in 2000 to approximately 47 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 30–33%. Major concentrations are in the South, particularly Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Maryland, and South Carolina by share, and Texas, Georgia, Florida, New York, and California by absolute numbers.
As of 2026, approximately 13–14% of the US population is Black or African American (Black alone). When including people who identify as Black in combination with another race, the figure rises to approximately 14–15%. The Black share of the US population has remained broadly stable at approximately 12–14% since 2000, despite significant overall population growth, because other racial groups — particularly Hispanic and Asian Americans — have grown faster. The Black population has grown in absolute numbers from approximately 35–36 million in 2000 to approximately 47 million in 2026.
As of 2026, there are approximately 65 million Hispanic or Latino people in the United States, representing approximately 19% of the total US population. Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity, not a race — the Census Bureau counts it separately. The Hispanic population grew from approximately 35 million in 2000 to approximately 65 million in 2026, an increase of approximately 86%. The largest Hispanic national-origin group is Mexican American (~63%). Top states by Hispanic population: California (~15.5M), Texas (~12.5M), Florida (~5.6M), New York (~3.9M), Arizona (~2.3M).
As of 2026, there are approximately 22 million Asian Americans in the United States, representing approximately 6% of the total US population. Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing racial group by percentage since 2000, nearly doubling from approximately 11–12 million. The largest Asian American national-origin groups are: Chinese American (~5M), Filipino American (~4.2M), Indian American (~4.4M), Vietnamese American (~2.2M), Korean American (~1.9M), and Japanese American (~1.4M). Asian Americans have the highest median household income of any racial group in the US at approximately $98,000–$105,000.
Mississippi has the highest Black population share at approximately 38% of its total state population — the only US state where Black Americans constitute a plurality. Other states with high Black population shares include Louisiana (~33%), Georgia (~33%), Maryland (~32%), and South Carolina (~27%). By absolute numbers, the states with the most Black residents are Texas (~3.9 million), Georgia (~3.8 million), Florida (~3.7 million), New York (~3.6 million), and California (~2.8 million). Major cities with large Black communities include Atlanta, Washington D.C., Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Baltimore.
The US Census Bureau’s 2023 National Population Projections estimate the US will reach a majority-minority composition — where no single racial group constitutes an absolute majority — sometime between approximately 2040 and 2050. By this point, the White non-Hispanic share is projected to be approximately 44–47%, below the 50% threshold. This milestone has already been reached in several states including California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Hawaii, and Maryland. Whether and exactly when this occurs nationally depends heavily on immigration policy and fertility rate trends.
US racial composition has changed dramatically since 2000: White non-Hispanic declined from 69.1% to ~57-58% (-11-12pts). Hispanic grew from 12.5% to ~19% (+6.5pts). Asian grew from 3.6% to ~6% (+2.4pts). Black/African American remained broadly stable at ~12-14%. Multiracial grew significantly, partly due to 2020 Census methodology changes. Total US population grew from 281 million (2000) to approximately 337-340 million (2026). These changes reflect immigration (primarily from Latin America and Asia) and different birth rates across racial groups.
White non-Hispanic Americans remain the largest racial group in the United States as of 2026, at approximately 57–58% of the total population (~195–200 million people). However, their share has declined significantly from 69% in 2000 and is projected to fall below 50% by approximately 2040–2050. Hispanic/Latino Americans (~65M, ~19%) are the second-largest group, followed by Black/African Americans (~47M, ~13-14%), Asian Americans (~22M, ~6%), and Multiracial Americans (~12M, ~3-4%).
As of 2026, approximately 57–58% of the US population is White non-Hispanic (~195–200 million people). When including White Hispanic people (who identify as White and Hispanic ethnicity), the White alone figure is approximately 69% (~233–235 million). The White non-Hispanic share has declined from 69.1% in 2000 and is projected to reach approximately 44–47% by 2050. States with the highest White non-Hispanic share include Maine (~93%), Vermont (~92%), and West Virginia (~93%). States with the lowest include Hawaii (~22%), California (~35%), New Mexico (~36%), and Texas (~41%).
BusinessStats: All 2026 population estimates and projections are BusinessStats proprietary calculations based on US Census Bureau ACS 2025 data, Census Bureau 2023 national population projections series, Pew Research Center demographic analysis, and interpolation between available data points. All figures are rounded estimates. Note: the 2020 Census revised methodology for race questions may affect comparability with 2000 and 2010 Census data.