New census shows Alexandria not majority-white

Newly released census data shows that Alexandria is becoming more diverse, with white, non-Hispanic Alexandrians comprising less that half the city’s total population for the first time in recent history.

The census broke the categories down into several different sections. The data indicated that 76% of Alexandria identified as one race — a decline from 81.4% in 2020. White Alexandrians accounted for 53.5% of the population in 2010 and in 2020 comprised 49.2%. It marks the first time in any recent census data — at least as far back as the 1990s — that Alexandria has been has not been majority-white.

Hispanic or latino is marked as a separate category. The census data indicated that the hispanic/latino population in Alexandria increased by 30.4% from 2010 to 2020.

“Though many respondents expect to see a Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish category on the race question, this question is asked separately because people of Hispanic origin may be of any race(s),” the census website said. “The Census Bureau collects these data in accordance with the 1997 Office of Management and Budget standards on race and ethnicity.”

Alexandria isn’t alone in this: nationwide the census data indicates the country is becoming increasingly diverse. Nationwide, the 2020 census marked the first time the white, non-Hispanic percent of the population fell below 60%.

Overall, the city population increased by nearly 20,000 residents. The current total population is 159,467.

“The City gained 19,501 residents over the past decade with a 1.39% annual growth rate,” the city said.