Census: More People Identifying as Multiracial

According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday, more people are claiming to be multiracial.

About 34 million people claimed to be more than one race in the 2020 Census. That’s a jump from 9 million in 2000.

Meanwhile, the nation’s white population declined for the first time in history, but, at 57.8%, still makes up a majority of the country.

Latinos make up nearly 19% of the country’s population.

The Black population held static at just over 13%.

Most likely there was an undercount in some communities of color due to efforts by former President Donald Trump to include a question about immigration status.

States will use the raw data to provide the final redistricting data to cities and other local jurisdictions in late September.

More information will be provided by consultants at next Thursday’s Redistricting Task Force Meeting and Public Hearing scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

The agenda and meeting materials will be distributed on Monday, August 16.

The local data will be used to redraw local voting districts.

“We are excited to reach this milestone of delivering the first detailed statistics from the 2020 Census,” said acting Census Bureau Director Ron Jarmin. “We appreciate the public’s patience as Census Bureau staff worked diligently to process these data and ensure it meets our quality standards.”

Following every 10-year census count, the city utilizes that information to examine the people residing within existing City Council district boundaries to account for changes in population.

The City Council has established a 12-member Redistricting Task Force composed of Pasadena residents to examine population changes and recommend a redistricting plan to the council for consideration.

Last month, City Council members expressed a desire to see few changes in the city’s seven voting districts.

City Council members on Monday said that all council districts should continue to have exposure to Colorado Boulevard and that district lines should be preserved as much as possible.

The task force has held formal meetings, as well as participated in or observed community workshops designed to provide the public with information on the redistricting process and solicit community of interest information in all seven districts.

Typically, the city receives population counts ahead of the work of the task force. Due to data delays caused by the pandemic, the work plan has been adjusted to begin community engagement prior to the release of data.

The city must complete the process and adopt any changes by Dec. 15.