Texas saw the largest increase in diverse racial and ethnic groups last year, with significant gains in Houston and Dallas.
Texas experienced the highest growth in Hispanic, Asian, and Black populations among U.S. states in 2023. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the Lone Star State attracted more residents from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds than any other state last year. Among metropolitan areas, Houston saw the most significant rise in Hispanic residents, while Dallas had the largest increases in both Asian and Black populations.
The state’s overall population grew by 473,000 people in 2023, the largest increase in the country. Xiuhong “Helen” You, associate director and senior demographer at the Texas Demographic Center, noted that Texas’ rapid growth is driven by job opportunities and affordable housing, which are attracting people from different backgrounds.
Nationwide, Hispanic residents were the primary contributors to U.S. population growth last year, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the nation’s increase. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022-2023 estimates show that the Hispanic population grew by about 1.2 million people, bringing the total to 65.2 million, or nearly 20% of the U.S. population.
Hispanic people, who can be of any race, are now the second-largest demographic group in the country. The growth of the Hispanic population is primarily driven by births outpacing deaths, with this group expanding at a significantly faster rate than the non-Hispanic population, according to Census Bureau demographer Kristie Wilder.
The non-Hispanic white population, which makes up 58% of the U.S. population, was the only demographic group to experience a decline last year. The group lost 461,000 people, primarily due to deaths outpacing births, although immigration prevented further decline. Non-Hispanic whites have the highest median age at 43.2 years.
While the white population shrank, states like South Carolina saw the most significant growth in non-Hispanic white residents, and Nashville led the metro areas in gains within this group. Texas’ demographic changes reflect the state’s increasing diversity, with a growing influence of Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations.
The trends reflect broader demographic shifts across the United States, with growing ethnic and racial diversity playing a central role in the nation’s evolving population dynamics.
