March 13, 2009 | By Tim Steury | 2 Comments »
Categories: Sociology
Tags: Annabel Kirschner, demographics Washington, Hispanic population, Latino population, population Washington
Ever since white settlers overwhelmed the native population, about the only way you could call Washington’s population diverse is by distinguishing between Germans and Scandinavians. Even though the state enjoys a rich mix of Asian, Native, and white Americans, the non-white numbers have long been relatively low. By 1890, whites represented 97 percent of Washington’s recorded populace, and that number remained static for decades.
Percent White (not Hispanic/Latino) Washington: 1980 – 2008. Click to enlarge.
Now that mix has started to change. The white (not Hispanic) portion of Washington’s population has dropped below 80 percent for the first time since the mid-19th century.
Annabel Kirschner, a professor in the Department of Community and Rural Sociology and an extension specialist, has posted a draft version of “Increasing Diversity in Washington State 2000-2008,” the latest in a continuing series of demographic analyses of Washington state, now named Washington Counts in the 21st Century (http://www.crs.wsu.edu/outreach/index.html). (more…)