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.

Missing man found safe in West End — “Mr. Robert Johnson has been found. Thank you for helping get the word out.” [Twitter]

New Census data shows surge of Latino residents — “The last 10 years have marked a dramatic shift in the demographic makeup of the United States, with a marked shrinkage of the white population and the rapid growth of the Hispanic/Latino community, according to 2020 Census data. These changes were reflected in the City of Alexandria, where the share of the white population decreased by 3,001 people (-3.5 percent) since 2010, while the Hispanic/Latino population grew by 6,848 people (30.4 percent). The Asian population grew by 2,922 people (34.7 percent), and Black/African American population grew by 1,412 (4.6 percent).” [Patch]

VDOT reminds residents to turn on headlights while it’s raining — “The message is simple. If your wipers are on, turn your headlights on! It’s the bright thing to do!” [Twitter]

Today’s weather — “Scattered thunderstorms in the morning. Cloudy skies late. High 87F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%… Considerable cloudiness. Occasional rain showers later at night. Low 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.” [Weather.com]

New job: Temporary bilingual COVID-19 vaccine promotor — “The Vaccine Promotor(a)/[Certified Vaccine Navigator (CVN); training provided for certification] will assist with Neighborhood Health’s efforts to increase access to COVID-19 vaccine distribution in its service area (Alexandria, Arlington, and Fairfax County) for Latinx communities most affected by the pandemic. The Vaccine Promotor(a)/CVN will engage with residents of underserved communities to provide education about COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination. The Promotor(a) will work with Neighborhood Health’s COVID-19 Outreach team to plan an overall outreach strategy and provide support to other vaccine-related activities.” [Indeed]

Alexandria Voted 80% for Joe Biden — “The vote total in Alexandria, as of Wednesday morning, was 65,201 or 80.4 percent for Biden, the former Vice President; 14,251 voted for Trump.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria Reaches Complete Count in 2020 U.S. Census — ” The Bureau’s Crystal City Area Census Office, which includes all of Alexandria, was the only such office in the Washington, D.C. metro region to count 100% of households by the time data collection ended on October 15. Because almost 74% of Alexandria households completed the census questionnaire by mail or online, census workers had to visit fewer households in person.” [City of Alexandria]

Here’s Updated COVID-19 Guidance from Alexandria — “Everyone has a role in stopping the spread of COVID-19. Take immediate action by wearing a mask, reducing unnecessary travel, maintaining at least 6 feet of physical distance from others and staying home when sick. Below are specific guidance and resources based on setting or need.” [City of Alexandria]

Vegan PLNT Burger Restaurant Opens Inside Whole Foods — “Co-founder and chief culinary director for PLNT Burger, Spike Mendelsohn (of ‘Top Chef’ fame) was in town recently to open the hip new vegan burger joint inside the Whole Foods store at 1700 Duke Street and on opening day gave away 100 free burgers to the first people in line.” [Zebra]

Waterskiing Santa Going Virtual This Year — “The show was originally scheduled to run on Christmas Eve this year but organizers announced that they decided to cancel the live event for safety reasons. Instead, a recording will be available for viewing on Dec. 20 so families can “stay home, get some hot chocolate and popcorn and cozy up while watching the Waterskiing Santa,” organizers said on the event’s Facebook page.” [Alexandria Living]

Today’s Weather — “Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Partly to mostly cloudy (at night). Low 48F. Winds light and variable.” [Weather.com]

New Job: Scholarship Program Assistant — “The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, a national nonprofit in Alexandria, Virginia, seeks a Scholarship Program Assistant to become part of the Scholarship Program team. The Scholarship Program Assistant works closely with the Assistant Director, Scholarship Programs to support the needs of the department and the \Foundation and its various stakeholders. S/he is responsible for supporting the Department in an overall administrative capacity and to provide support in the day-to-day functions of the Department and team.” [Indeed]

Alexandria has counted 72.7% of residents for the 2020 Census, and with millions of federal funding on the line the city is asking for more participation.

“As a perspective for the city We’re at 72.7% for self response rate, which means we are beating the state average of 70.6%, as well as the national average of 66.2%,” City Councilman Canek Aguirre told Council on Tuesday night.

The City Council budgeted $80,000 to encourage residents to fill out the census, since the U.S. Census Bureau estimates a loss of $20,000 in federal funding per person left uncounted over the course of the decade. An accurate count helps get federal aid, redistrict jurisdictions, gather statistics for grant applications and apportion congressional seats.

On Thursday night, a federal judge ruled that the Census deadline, which was September 30, be extended to October 31.

“Please fill out your census,” Aguirre said. “It is safe, it is easy, it is fast. It takes about five to 10 minutes.”

City Official Dies in Car Crash — “The City of Alexandria is devastated by the loss of Robert Bloom, Public Safety Systems Administrator in the Department of Emergency and Customer Communications (DECC), in a vehicle crash on the morning of July 20, 2020.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria Man Dies in D.C. Shooting — “Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the fatal shooting of an Alexandria man that occurred Sunday night in the Shipley area of the city, according to a police release… MPD identified the decedent as Rayfone Gassaway, 37, of Alexandria, Virginia.” [Patch]

COVID-19 Cases Jump by 23 in Alexandria — “Positive tests up 23 to 2,582 in the City… Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Beyer Calls Out Trump Directive to Census Bureau — “A clear violation of the United States Constitution, which spells out in the 14th Amendment that ‘Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States.. counting the whole number of persons in each State..'” [Twitter]

National Coin Shortage Hits Alexandria — “At Alexandria stores like The Home Depot in West End Village and dozens of grocery and other retailers, customers are starting to see signs at checkout (like the one below) pleading with them to use a credit or debit card, or use exact change.” [Alexandria Living]

New Job: Youth Soccer Coach — “Prior soccer experience is not required. We only require the passion for positively impacting children’s lives through the love of sports and fitness. Valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle Must be at least 18 years of age.” [Indeed]

By now, homes across the city have received forms and information regarding the 2020 Census.

An accurate count of residents helps Alexandria receive federal aid, redistrict jurisdictions, gather statistics for grant applications and apportion congressional seats.

The City Council budgeted $80,000 to get the word out to residents, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimates $20,000 in federal funding in the city is lost with every person left uncounted over the course of 10 years.

According to the city:

The online Census form will be available in 12 languages other than English, and language guides are available for 60 languages.

The 2020 Census asks:

1. How many people are living or staying in your home on April 1, 2020
2. Whether the home is owned or rented
3. Each person’s sex
4. Each person’s age
5. Each person’s race
6. Whether each person is of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin
7. The relationship of each person to the householder

The U.S. Census count is underway, the enormous effort happens once every 10 years to count every person living in the United States regardless of age or immigration status.

The census helps determine how much funding Fairfax County receives from money allocated by the federal government to improve transportation, provide education, healthcare, affordable housing and prepare for emergencies. It also determines how many representatives are sent to Richmond and Washington D.C to advocate for the county.

According to the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia, Fairfax County could lose $12,000 in potential funding over the course of a decade for each person who does not respond to the census.

In March, the U.S. Census Bureau began mailing every household an invitation to complete a simple questionnaire about who lives at their address on April 1. People can respond to the census online, by phone, or by mail.

The census will ask for names, age, sex, race and the relation of everyone living in each household. Federal law keeps those responses safe, secure and confidential.

Everyone should be counted to ensure Fairfax County receives its fair share of federal funds and representation.

Learn more at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/census.

Apartment Fire on N. Patrick Street — “A six-month-old infant was rescued by firefighters during an apartment fire early Thursday morning in Alexandria, Virginia. The fire also left 19 people displaced, according to the Red Cross. The child was taken to the hospital for observation, according to fire officials.” [WJLA]

Runner Traverses Entire City — “It’s been said that there’s no better way to discover a city than to explore it by foot. Alexandria resident Stephanie Lasure took that piece of advice to heart. Between November 2018 and September 2019, Lasure ran every single street in Alexandria, logging 330 miles total. In November, city council presented Lasure with a proclamation recognizing her efforts.” [Alexandria Times]

A Tale of Two Cities — “Taylor Run is about three miles from Arlandria. But it might as well be on the other side of the planet in terms of median household income. Census records show that the leafy suburban Taylor Run neighborhood, which is just behind the George Washington Masonic Memorial, has the highest median family income in Alexandria, more than $180,000 a year. The low-income neighborhood of Latino residents near the border with Arlington, on the other hand, has the lowest, less than $55,000 a year.” [Gazette Packet]

Local Hero Honored By Embassy — “A 10-year-old Alexandria boy who saved a man from drowning was honored by Ambassador Roya Rahmani at the Afghanistan Embassy in Washington, D.C. Sulaiman Mohammad was first honored by the Alexandria Police department for his lifesaving actions in August.” [WJLA]