Race and Ethnicity by County
This is an interactive map of Race and Ethnicity by U.S. county. Each hue represents the most predominant race or ethnicity by county. Hover over the map to see the county, state, population, race, and ethnicity numbers. Zoom in for more detail. Scroll down for more information.
Race and Ethnicity
Race
Race could be designated as the "Physical characteristics that define a person as a member of a specific group.
Things that define race can include skin color, hair color and texture, eye color, facial features, and physical build.
Race is a social construct, and what defines who belongs to a particular race can vary." Source: Pratt Institute.
The US Census questionnaire reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country. The written responses are classified as follows.
- White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.
- Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa.
- American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North America and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.
- Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.
Map of Unemployment Rate by County
Ethnicity
Ethnicity is described as the cultural characteristics that define a person as being a member of a specific group and can include: language, accent, religion, styles of dress, hairstyles, social customs, food, and dietary preferences or restrictions. Source: Pratt Institute.
In the census Latino or Hispanic origin is classified as ethnicity.
If you are interested in reading more about this topic, Amazon has Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America. Through a compelling narrative and eye-catching charts and maps, eminent demographer Frey interprets and expounds on the dramatic growth of minority populations in the United States.
Race and Ethnicity in the US
The racial makeup of the United States reflects its history and population growth. Large waves of European immigrants came to the U.S. making up most of its counties.
The counties with large populations of African Americans represent areas that had plantations and used enslaved Africans for forced labor.
Counties with large Native American populations have Indian Reservations.
Counties with large Asian communities received immigrant labor from China.
Large Hispanic populations are found close to the border with Mexico.
Map of Median Age by U.S. County
Whitest Counties in the U.S.
The residents of these counties described themselves as white.
- Magoffin County, Kentucky
- Holmes County, Ohio
- Dickenson County, Virginia
- Knott County, Kentucky
- Wolfe County, Kentucky
African American Counties
The residents in these counties declared themselves as black or African American.
- Claiborne County, Mississippi
- Jefferson County, Mississippi
- Holmes County, Mississippi
- Greene County, Alabama
- Macon County, Alabama
Latino Counties
The residents in these counties are mainly of Latino origin.
Municipios in Puerto Rico are not included in this list.
- Starr County, Texas
- Webb County, Texas
- Maverick County, Texas
- Zapata County, Texas
- Zavala County, Texas
Indigenous Counties
These counties have high percentages of Native Americans
- Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
- Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota
- Todd County, South Dakota
- Sioux County, North Dakota
- Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Ironically there are no counties with a Native Hawaiian majority population.
Honolulu is predominantly Asian.
Alameda and Santa Clara Counties in California are the only predominantly Asian counties in the conterminous U.S.
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Resources for Race, Ethnicity Map
The Shapefiles for the states were downloaded from Natural Earth.
The county shapefiles and Race, Ethnicity data came from US Census Bureau.
Made by Luz K. Molina with D3.js.
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