How Many White People In United States

Hey there, curious mind! Ever wondered how many of your fellow Americans are rocking that pasty, porcelain skin? I mean, have you ever looked around and thought, "Wow, it's like a sea of milk bottles out here!" Well, let's dive in and find out, shall we?

Let's Do the Math

Alright, so you've got the U.S. Census Bureau, which is like the ultimate scorekeeper of our population. They do a headcount every decade, and the last one was in 2020. Now, they don't ask, "Hey, are you white?" because that might be a tad awkward. Instead, they ask about race and ethnicity, and let folks self-identify.

So, when they say "White alone or in combination with one or more other races," that's our crew we're counting. Now, let's get our calculators out. In 2020, the total U.S. population was 331,002,651. The white population was 204,334,293. Do the math, and you get about 61.8% of the population. Boom! That's a lot of pale faces, folks!

But Wait, There's More!

Now, let's talk about the "in combination" part. You know, those beautiful folks who are a delightful mix of races and ethnicities. In 2020, about 36.2% of the population identified as two or more races. So, when we say 61.8% are white, that includes folks who are also identifying as another race or ethnicity. It's like a big, beautiful, human fruit salad, isn't it?

And hey, let's not forget, the U.S. is a melting pot, and it's always simmering. The Census Bureau estimates that by 2060, the white alone population will drop to about 42.4%. So, our pale pals are still the majority, but the mix is changing, and that's pretty cool.

Over Half of White Population Reported Being English, German or Irish

Let's Get Regional

Now, let's talk locations. You might think, "Well, of course, there are more white folks in the North Pole than in, say, Hawaii." And you'd be right! But let's look at some real numbers.

In 2020, the states with the highest percentage of white folks were West Virginia (93.9%), Maine (92.2%), and Vermont (90.2%). Now, I've been to Vermont, and let me tell you, those folks are so white, they glow in the dark. On the other end, Hawaii had the lowest percentage at 22.7%. But remember, that's still a lot of folks when you consider Hawaii's population is over 1.4 million.

But What About the Cities?

Cities can be a whole different story. Take New York City, for example. It's like the United Nations of cities, with folks from all over the globe. So, it's no surprise that only about 33.5% of NYC residents identify as white alone. But head over to Anchorage, Alaska, and you'll find that about 60.7% of residents are white alone. Who would've thought, right?

Fil:White Non-Hispanic population percentage by state in 2012.svg

So, What's the Big Deal?

Well, folks, it's all about perspective. Knowing the numbers can help us understand our communities better, challenge stereotypes, and maybe even make us appreciate our diversity a little more. It's like looking at a painting and knowing it's a Van Gogh, not just a pretty picture. It changes how you see it, doesn't it?

Plus, it's always fun to compare and contrast. I mean, have you ever been to a family reunion where you're like, "Wow, it's like a human version of the Milky Way out here!"? Yeah, me neither. But you get the idea.

So, there you have it, folks. The U.S. is a big, beautiful, pale (and not so pale) mix of humanity. And that's what makes it, well, us. Now, go forth and impress your friends with your newfound knowledge. Just remember, it's not a competition. We're all in this together, one big, human fruit salad, if you will.