Age by Race and Ethnicity
Every 10 years as of April 1, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census of the nation’s population. The 2010 census reports categorize race into white, black, American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other. The racial group figures are reported in total and by ethnicity (Hispanic versus non-Hispanic).
Respondents to the 2010 census could specify that an individual had more than one race, as in the 2000 census. Because of the reporting of multiple races for an individual, the Census Bureau presents race in two ways: “race alone” and “race in combination.” In the race alone tabulations, a category for two or more races without specifying those races is included; the sum of the categories equals the population total. In the race in combination tabulations, individuals of more than one race are included in each of the races specified—thus the race in combination categories sum to more than the population count.
The decennial census questionnaire asked respondents to supply the age of each person in two ways: in years as of April 1, 2010 and by providing the exact birth date. The age data are grouped together in various ways. Five-year age groups (such as 5 to 9) are common, as are the groupings of less than 18, 18 to 64, and 65 or older.
Age by ethnicity and race, using the race alone categorization, are presented on Arizona Indicators for Arizona for 2010. Additional data, for example for smaller geographic areas and for earlier censuses, are available from the Census Bureau, but race data prior to 2000 are not directly comparable to later figures.
Also presented on Arizona Indicators is implied net migration by age for Hispanics and non-Hispanics for Arizona between 2000 and 2010. See the description on the “Implied Net Migration by Age, 2000 to 2010” page for details. Unlike the figures shown on that page, these estimates come from unpublished data from the Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics, using more detailed birth and death data than that used for Arizona and the counties on the “Implied Net Migration by Age, 2000 to 2010” page.
U. S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Summary File 1: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml.
The decennial census is intended to be a count of all residents. However, some people—primarily minorities, especially undocumented immigrants—are missed while some people are double counted, particularly those owning more than one home. Thus, the race/ethnicity figures may have a small bias. The magnitude of the under- and over- counts varies by decennial census. In addition, respondents do not always accurately report age or birth date. Historically, a disproportionate share of respondents has rounded their age to a year ending in 0 or 5.
Share of Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Population by Age Group, Arizona, 2010
Visualization Notes:
Of the six primary racial/ethnic groups, non-Hispanic whites have the oldest age profile. Their median age is 44.5, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 45 and 64. Non-Hispanic Asians and Pacific Islanders have the second highest median age at 34.4, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 25 and 44. The median age of non-Hispanic blacks is 31.1, with a relatively large number between the ages of 10 and 29. Many non-Hispanic American Indians are younger than 25; the median age is 28.1. The median age of Hispanics is only 25.4, with a relatively large number younger than 20. The youngest population is non-Hispanics of two or more races. Their median age is just 19.3.
Share of Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic American Indian Population by Age Group, Arizona, 2010
Visualization Notes:
Of the six primary racial/ethnic groups, non-Hispanic whites have the oldest age profile. Their median age is 44.5, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 45 and 64. Non-Hispanic Asians and Pacific Islanders have the second highest median age at 34.4, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 25 and 44. The median age of non-Hispanic blacks is 31.1, with a relatively large number between the ages of 10 and 29. Many non-Hispanic American Indians are younger than 25; the median age is 28.1. The median age of Hispanics is only 25.4, with a relatively large number younger than 20. The youngest population is non-Hispanics of two or more races. Their median age is just 19.3.
Share of Non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander and Non-Hispanic Two or More Races Population by Age Group, Arizona, 2010
Visualization Notes:
Of the six primary racial/ethnic groups, non-Hispanic whites have the oldest age profile. Their median age is 44.5, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 45 and 64. Non-Hispanic Asians and Pacific Islanders have the second highest median age at 34.4, with a disproportionately large number between the ages of 25 and 44. The median age of non-Hispanic blacks is 31.1, with a relatively large number between the ages of 10 and 29. Many non-Hispanic American Indians are younger than 25; the median age is 28.1. The median age of Hispanics is only 25.4, with a relatively large number younger than 20. The youngest population is non-Hispanics of two or more races. Their median age is just 19.3.
Implied Net Migration by Age, 2000 to 2010, Arizona
Visualization Notes:
The estimated net number of migrants to Arizona between 2000 and 2010 combines net migration from elsewhere in the United States and net immigration from other countries. The age pattern is very different between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Of the total net migration, 58 percent of Hispanics were between the ages of 10 and 29 in 2010. Since these migrants may have arrived in Arizona at any time during the decade, their age at the time of the move was on average between 5 and 24. Only 28 percent of the total net migration of non-Hispanics was in this age group.
In contrast, 37 percent of the non-Hispanic migrants were between the ages of 55 and 69 in 2010, or on average between 50 and 64 at the time of the move. Most of these individuals had retired early. Only 9 percent of Hispanic migrants were in this age group.
Data Source
U. S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Summary File 1: http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml.
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