Race and ethnicity data from the 2020 census show that the share of the country that identifies as non-Hispanic white decreased for the first time since record-keeping began in 1970 and now amounts to 57.8 percent of the U.S. population. Those identifying as Hispanic made up 18.7 percent of Americans, while 12.4 percent identify as Black and 6 percent as Asian. The number of people who identify as more than one race doubled (USA Today) over the past decade.
This Backgrounder explores why the census matters.
Friday Editor’s Pick
The New York Times looks at a dying tradition in Albania in which women declare themselves men to enjoy greater freedoms.
