U.S. Population by Race and Ethnicity: 2025 Census Estimates and State Comparisons

By Joaquimma Anna | Published: | Race & Ethnicity | 1 min read

Short Answer

The U.S. Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates, released in June 2026, provide the most recent official breakdown of the U.S. population by race and Hispanic origin. Non-Hispanic White Americans remain the largest group, but the nation continues to become more diverse, with Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial populations growing faster than the overall population. State-level patterns vary widely, from predominantly White states in the Northeast and Midwest to majority-minority states such as Hawaii, New Mexico, and California.

Source & Data Date

The primary source for this article is the U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 Population Estimates, released in June 2026. The estimates cover the period from April 1, 2020, to July 1, 2025, with detailed tables by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin for the United States, states, counties, and Puerto Rico. Additional context comes from the Census Bureau’s January 2026 national and state population estimates release, which reported a 0.5% growth rate between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. Specific data tables are available on census.gov under the State Population by Characteristics: 2020-2025 and National Population by Characteristics: 2020-2025 pages.

FAQ

What is the largest racial or ethnic group in the United States in 2025?

According to the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates, White alone, not Hispanic or Latino remains the largest group, at roughly 58% of the population. Hispanic or Latino is the second-largest group at about 19%.

Which state has the highest Hispanic population share?

New Mexico has the highest Hispanic share of any state, at approximately 47–48% of its population. California and Texas have the largest absolute numbers of Hispanic residents.

Is the United States becoming more diverse?

Yes. The non-Hispanic White share has fallen from about 64% in 2010 to about 58% in 2025, while Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial shares have increased. The U.S. population under age 18 is already majority-minority.

How does the Census Bureau collect race and ethnicity data?

The Census Bureau asks two separate questions: one on race, allowing multiple selections, and one on Hispanic or Latino origin. This follows federal standards from the Office of Management and Budget and allows for combinations such as White and Hispanic.

Why do race and ethnicity percentages not add to 100?

Because Hispanic origin is an ethnicity, not a race, and people of Hispanic origin can be of any race. Additionally, individuals may select more than one race. Therefore, the sum of race groups and Hispanic origin exceeds 100% when reported together.

References

  1. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-detail.html
  2. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2026/vintage-2025-pop-estimates.html
  3. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-detail.html
  4. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2026/national-state-population-estimates.html

Related Terms

Hispanic or Latino origin
An ethnicity category used by the U.S. Census Bureau that includes people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
Non-Hispanic White
The population that identifies as White alone and does not identify as Hispanic or Latino. It is the largest single racial or ethnic group in the United States but has been declining as a share of the total population.
Two or More Races
A Census Bureau category for individuals who identify with more than one race. This group has grown rapidly due to changing social norms and question wording.
Vintage estimates
Annual population estimates produced by the Census Bureau that are updated each year using the most recent data. Vintage 2025 refers to the series released in 2026 covering 2020–2025.
Majority-minority
A term describing a jurisdiction where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes more than 50% of the population. Several U.S. states and many counties already meet this definition.

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