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Race/Ethnicity

General information

Knowing the current and expected breakdown of the population by race and ethnicity is a necessity for understanding and preserving the diversity of a population. Population growth is projected by the estimated number of births, deaths, and migration in and out of a given area.1

*AIAN = American Indian/Alaska Native

**NHPI = Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Source: California Department of Finance, 2014 State and County Population Projections by Race/Ethnicity

Key Findings

  • As of 2015, San Mateo County’s population is 752,751. From 2010 to 2060, the population of SMC is expected to increase 30%. 
  • Since 2000, the majority of the county’s population has been people of color. In 2015, Whites make up the largest race/ethnicity group (41%), followed by Latinos (26%) and Asians (26%), American Indians/Alaska Natives (less than 1%), Pacific Islanders (2%), and Blacks (3%) are the smallest race/ethnicity groups in SMC.
  • By 2060, the White and Black population is expected to decrease in the county (Whites by 12% and Blacks by 20%), and the Pacific Islander, Latino, and Asian population are expected to increase (Pacific Islanders by 69%, Latinos by 65%, and Asians by 52%). 
  • By 2050, Latinos will surpass Whites as the largest race/ethnicity group and by 2060, the Asian population will also surpass the White population.

Methods

Population Map

  • Data were obtained from U.S. Census Bureau’s 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates at American FactFinder.
  • Data were mapped using ArcGIS for Desktop and ArcGIS Online.

Population Projection Chart

Limitations

Population Map

  • Approximately 295,000 households are selected to participate in the annual American Community Survey, or less than 1 percent of all households in the U.S.
  • Data were estimates based on survey responses, and not actual counts. 
  • Estimates have some chance of error.

Population Projection Chart

  • Population growth is a prediction and therefore may contain some errors.

References

  1. California Department of Finance, Modeling Methodology for the State and County Population Projects