In the United States, terms such as white, black, Latin American, or Asian are often used to describe groups.

Unlike in Sweden, reports are regularly compiled on the population where ethnic group affiliation is included, among other things to counteract discrimination. 

Demographic data plays a major role in the United States, including how large sums of federal funds are to be distributed across the country, but also how the country's politicians plan their election campaigns.

White people still make up the largest population group with 57.8 percent, a figure that, however, shrank from 63.7 percent in 2010 - the lowest figure ever.

- It can have political consequences.

Minority groups tend to support Democrats.

When the white population decreases, it can become more difficult for the Republicans, says Dag Blanck who is a professor of North American studies at Uppsala University.

"The United States is changing"

The numbers may be an explanation for the fact that many Republican states are now introducing election laws that make it more difficult for minority groups to vote, Blanck explains.

- There is a concern among the white population that the United States you feel at home in is changing.

In some states, whites are no longer a majority, as has traditionally been the case.  

The second largest group is Latin Americans, which has increased from 16.3 percent to 18.7 percent.

Third on the list are blacks and African Americans at 12.1 percent, a marginally lower figure than in 2010.

The big cities are growing

At the same time, the number of Americans who identify as two or more population groups has increased significantly - from nine million people in 2010 to 33.8 million in 2020, which largely explains the changes in the white, black and Latin American groups, the report states.

In the last ten years, the population in the country's urban areas and metropolitan areas has increased by nine percent, in which 86 percent of all Americans live today.

New York remains the largest city in the United States.

The trend of people moving from the central and northeastern parts of the country to those in the south and west has continued.

An aging population

Americans over the age of 18 make up more than three-quarters of the US population, an increase of ten percent compared to 2010. The number of minors, ie people under the age of 18, has decreased to 73.1 million people from 74.2 million.

- The adult population has grown faster than the nation as a whole, says Andrew Roberts, head of department at the Census Bureau, in the press release.