2020 Census shows Whatcom County’s population is diversifying, but by how much?
Even though three out of four residents still identified as white, the 2020 Census showed Whatcom County became more diverse in race and ethnicity in the past decade, with those identifying as Hispanic and of two or more races showing the greatest growth.
The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday, Aug. 12, released Decennial Census Redistricting Data, which broke down data collected last year from residents across the country to the county, city and neighborhood levels.
Overall, the 2020 data shows Whatcom County had 226,847 residents, a 12.8% increase (25,707 people) from the 2010 Census data. Whatcom was the state’s ninth-fastest growing county and remained the ninth-largest county in Washington state in terms of total population.
But not every segment in Whatcom County grew evenly. Whatcom’s non-white population accounted for more than three-quarters (77.8%) of the county’s growth during the past decade, according to data analysis by The Bellingham Herald.
“I’ve reviewed some of the 2020 census numbers, and I’m not surprised by the trends,” Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu told The Herald. “As America changes, so does Whatcom County. Whatever your background, I think we all agree that this is a wonderful place to live and everyone is welcome here!”
More than half of Whatcom’s growth in the past 10 years was in two of the eight categories the U.S. Census Bureau uses to identify race and ethnicity — those who identify as Hispanic and those who identify as two or more races that are not-Hispanic.
Whatcom’s Hispanic population grew by 7,069 people between 2010 and 2020, according the Census data, increasing to 22,825 in 2020 — a 44.9% increase from 2010.
Hispanics went from representing 7.8% of the county’s total population in 2010 with 15,756 people to 10.1% in 2020, according to data analysis by The Herald.
Meanwhile, those who represent two or more races and are non-Hispanic more than doubled, growing by 7,957 people in the past 10 years, according to the Census data. The number of Whatcom residents who identified as more than one race increased from 6,038 people in 2010 to 13,995 in 2020 — a 131.8% growth.
That demographic went from representing 3% of Whatcom’s total population in 2010 to 6.2% in 2020, according to the data analysis.
For comparison, Whatcom’s largest segment — those who identify as white, non-Hispanic — increased by only 5,710 people during the last decade, according to census data, increasing from 164,675 people in 2010 to 170,385 in 2020 — a 3.5% growth.
Each of the seven other races and ethnicities saw a higher percentage of growth, according to Census data.
And that smaller growth rate means that Whatcom’s white population represented 75.1% of the total count in Whatcom County in 2020, according to The Herald’s analysis, down from 81.9% in 2010.
Additionally, the 2020 Census data for Whatcom County showed:
▪ The Black, non-Hispanic population grew by 24.1% (432 people) from 2010. The 2,221 county residents who identify as Black represent 1.0% of Whatcom’s total population in 2020.
▪ The American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic population grew by 7.7% (389 people) from 2010. The 5,459 residents who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native represent 2.4% of Whatcom’s total population in 2020.
▪ The Asian, non-Hispanic population grew by 42.4% (2,964 people) from 2010. The 9,952 residents who identify as Asian represent 4.4% of Whatcom’s total population in 2020.
▪ The Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic population grew by 46.4% (213 people) from 2010. The 672 residents who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander represent 0.3% of Whatcom’s total population in 2020.
▪ The population identifying as other race, non-Hispanic grew by 266.6% (973 people) from 2010. The 1,338 residents who identify as another race represent 0.6% of Whatcom’s total population.
Beyond Whatcom
Figures released earlier this year showed that the overall population of Washington state grew by nearly 15% over the past 10 years to more than 7.7 million, but despite the population jump it isn’t getting any more than its current 10 U.S. House seats.
Thursday’s release showed that statewide, those who identify as Hispanic (40.2% growth), Asian (52.0% growth) and two or more races (106.6% growth) fueled much of Washington’s growth from 2010.
The five counties that saw the largest jump in population from 2010 to 2020 were: Franklin, with a 23.8% change; Clark, at 18.3%; Benton, at 18.1%; King, with 17.5%; and Thurston, at 16.9%. Only two of the state’s 39 counties saw a decrease in population: Ferry, with a 4.9% decline; and Columbia, at 3.1%
The release of the redistricting data culled from the 2020 census is coming more than four months later than expected due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The redistricting numbers states use for redrawing congressional and legislative districts show where white, Asian, Black and Hispanic communities grew over the past decade. It also shows which areas have gotten older or younger and the number of people living in dorms, prisons and nursing homes.
The Washington State Redistricting Commission, which started meeting in January, is tentatively set to publish a draft legislative district map on Sept. 21 and a draft congressional district map on Sept. 28. The commission has until Nov. 15 to produce final maps.
