The 2010 United States Census [5] offers a fascinating glimpse of how the American population is growing, changing and moving... for those who have time to dig through reams and reams of spreadsheets. A periodic series by The Austin American Statesman [6], in collaboration with City of Austin demographer [7] Ryan Robinson, analyzes the census data for the Central Texas region, painting the picture of the unique and complex face of the Austin metro area.
- Austin Aging, Latest Census Data Show [8] Juan Castillo, May 26, 2011
Austin residents 60 to 64 grew at the highest rate in the past decade— by 97%. "This really speaks to the coming of age, if you will, of the city," said city demographer Ryan Robinson. "The reason we continue to be successful is our very young overall age, but (also) because we had this serious growth in these slightly older age groups that you don't normally associate with Austin's national image." - Asian population surges in Austin [9] Juan Castillo, May 6, 2011
Growing numbers linked to jobs, community appeal. Asians represented just 6.3% of Austin's residents in the 2010 census, but the Asian population has surged by 60% since 2000, making it the fastest-growing group in the city by percentage, at triple the rate of Austin's overall growth. - Where have urban Austin's children gone? [10] Marty Toohey, April 24, 2011.
Fewer people, including those younger than 18, live in many core city neighborhoods, census data show. Some residents were surprised by these figures, and AISD is left with a conundrum. - Census data depict sweeping change in East Austin [11] Juan Castillo, April 18, 2011.
White newcomers have transformed longtime minority enclaves. 2010 census data shows a 27% decrease in African American, and a 9.3% decrease in Hispanics, but a 40% increase in whites living in Central East Austin during the past decade. - Census shows major shift from city to suburbs among African Americans [12] Juan Castillo, March 21, 2011.
African American migration from large cities to sprawling bedroom communities with less expensive housing and at least the perception of better schools has become a national trend. Demographers call it one of the big stories of the 2010 census. - Hispanics concentrating in certain parts of Austin [13] Juan Castillo, March 7, 2011.
The Hispanic population in Austin grew more concentrated in several areas that were already heavily Hispanic, pockets that have some of the lowest family incomes in the city. Another story that emerges from the 2010 census is the growth of the Hispanic middle class. - Hispanics in Austin area are a diverse group [14] Juan Castillo, March 7, 2011.
"The Hispanic community is as diverse as the population in general. What we share is a common language," said Andy Martinez, president of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. There is extreme diversity among Latinos — in nationality, heritage and race, in politics and voting, in educational attainment, class and generation. And that's for starters.