2020 U.S. Census Results: Changing Demographics Of Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — 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).

In Virginia, the white population decreased by 277,996 people (-5.1 percent) since 2010, while the Hispanic/Latino population grew by 276,924 people (43.8 percent). The state's Asian population increased by 175,546 (39.9 percent), and the Black/African American population increased by 56,182 (3.6 percent).

The City of Alexandria also showed in increase in the number of people who identified themselves as multiracial, although the reasons are complex. In 2020, the number of people in Fairfax County who identified themselves as being two or more races grew by 11,952 or 228.7 percent. Experts say the increase reflects changes in the way people identify themselves as well the number of children born to parents of mixed races or ethnicities, along with changes in the wording of census forms themselves.

In Virginia, the number of people who identified themselves as being two or more races grew by 472,307 or 202.4 percent.

Overall, the City of Alexandria's population is 159,467, an increase of 19,501 residents since the last Census in 2010. The city was notified that it achieved a complete count in November 2020. On a federal level, Census data is used to determine representation in Congress and allocation of federal resources to local and state governments.

Demographic information from the 2020 Census is available on the state and locality level.

SEE ALSO:

• 5 Takeaways From The Release Of 2020 Census Data: AP Explainer
• U.S. Is Diversifying, White Population Shrinking: Census Data
• Census Data Sets Up Redistricting Fight Over Growing Suburbs