King County is growing and has a diverse multitude of residents, based on data revealed last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. The census counted 1,931,249 residents in the county. Based on data collected in April of last year, the county gained just under 200,000 residents, an increase of 11.2 percent, since the last complete census in 2000. King County grew faster than the nation as a whole, which grew at a rate of 9.7 percent nationwide.
The data also shows the growing diversity of King County's population: persons of color now make up more than one-third of the population. The number of non-Hispanic white persons is slightly smaller than it was in 2000.
The entire population increase consisted of persons of color. Asian-Americans accounted for nearly half the increase over the decade, and Hispanic or Latino persons accounted for more than one-third. Additionally, there were smaller increases in the African-American, Pacific Islander and Native American populations, and persons who reported more than one race.
Recent Census Bureau estimates indicate that King County is the nation's 14th most populous county, and is larger than 14 states including Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and West Virginia. The the release of Census 2010 is not yet complete; by mid-March officials will know if the county retains its ranking.
King County's population growth comprised nearly one-quarter of Washington state's 830,000 increase during the decade. The state increase of 14 percent was enough to gain an additional seat in Congress, the only state outside the Sunbelt to do so in 2010. The Census data released will be used to redraw congressional, legislative and county council district boundaries during 2011.
This article was originally published in the Bellevue Reporter on February 27, 2011.