Census: Newark's Ethnic Communities Growing

Even though Newark’s population grew only slightly, by 0.24 percent over the last decade, more ethnic communities are calling the city home, according to the latest numbers from the 2010 Census.

The data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today show  population grew from 42,471 residents in 2000 to 42,573 residents in 2010.

The number of Asian residents is up by nearly 30 percent, to 11,571, according to the 2010 Census. Hispanic or Latino residents in Newark now number 14,994, up by 23 percent from 2000. The number of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents is up by nearly 46 percent, and the number of black or African-American residents is up by 17 percent. White residents dropped from 22,179 in 2000 to 17,566 in 2010, a decrease of slightly more than 20 percent.

Newark’s Community Development Director Terrence Grindall says the overall census numbers match the city’s expectations.

According to Grindall, the city is planning for more housing growth in the next ten years.

“We have approved housing in the Area 3 and 4 areas, rezoned properties in conjunction with our housing element and are considering a large, transit-oriented housing development in the western part of the city,” Grindall said.

According to the city’s website, the Dumbarton Transit Oriented Development project covers 233 acres of land used by manufacturing, industrial, chemical processing and salt production facilities.

Beyond Newark, the census reported the state of California grew from 33.8 million residents to 37.2 million resident during that decade.

Alameda County’s population grew by 4.6 percent over the last ten years to 1.5 million residents.

2010 Census Data for Newark from American Fact Finder.