What does this indicator measure?

This indicator measures the racial, ethnic, and age diversity of the population of the Dallas Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area (PMSA). 

Why is this indicator important?
Diversity in communities promotes economic and cultural well-being.  The presence of different perspectives promotes innovation through enhanced learning opportunities.  A diverse community is able to solve problems more effectively and creatively through the presence of new skills, perspectives, and connections.  According to the Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity, diversity has been recognized as "an important precondition for social and economic development."  In other words, diversity is not only beneficial, but critical for a community to move forward socially and economically.

How are we doing?
In the last 15 years, the Dallas PMSA has become more racially and ethnically diverse.

• According to the U.S. Census in 1980, the total population of the eight counties of the Dallas PMSA was 74% White, 16% African American, 9% Hispanic, and 1% American Indian, Asian, or other racial/ethnic groups.

 Racial Composition by County
     See also maps for:
     Collin
     Denton
     Ellis
     Henderson
     Hunt
     Kaufman
     Rockwall

• According to the U.S. Census in 2000, the Hispanic population had grown to 27%, while the White and African American populations dropped to 56% and 15%, respectively.  Asians made up 4% of the population, while people of other or multiple races and ethnic groups accounted for nearly 2% of the population.
• According to the 2004 American Communities Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, among the eight counties of the Dallas PMSA, Dallas County was the most diverse, with Whites representing almost 39% of the population, Hispanics almost 36%,  African Americans slightly more than 20%, and Asians slightly more than 4%.  Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other races and ethnic groups together represented less than 2% of the Dallas County population.
• In each of the seven other counties within the Dallas PMSA, Whites accounted for 70 to 85% of the population.
• In the city of Dallas, Whites made up nearly 55% of the population in 2004, followed by Hispanics (nearly 42%), and African Americans (nearly 24%).  

Ethnic/Racial population distribution by zipcode.
     See also maps for:
     Hispanic
     White
     African American
     Asian

• Of cities with 25,000 or more population, the city of Dallas was most diverse, with 50% White, 25% African American, and 17% other racial groups, according to 2005 data from Claritas.  Rounding out the five most diverse cities of large population were Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, Irving, and Duncanville.  Note that the cities of Wilmer and Hutchins, which have fewer than 25,000 in population, actually have higher levels of diversity than the city of Dallas.  They were the only two cities so positioned.
• Generally, larger cities and cities closer to the center of the Dallas PMSA tended to reflect higher levels of diversity.  For instance, 14 of the 34 cities in the highest diversity category had a population of 25,000 or higher, while only 2 of the 86 cities in the lowest diversity category had as large a population.
• While Dallas was the most diverse city racially, when ethnic diversity is measured, it ranks second behind Farmers Branch (Dallas had 42% Hispanic population, and Farmers Branch had 47%).  Rounding out the five most ethnically diverse cities of 25,000 or more population were Grand Prairie, Irving, and Garland.
• While this citywide snapshot of diversity looks balanced, an even deeper look reveals significant differences.  Whites make up nearly 50% of northern Dallas but less than 14% of southern Dallas.  African Americans have nearly 3 times the presence in southern Dallas (42%) as in northern Dallas.  Hispanics compose the greatest percentage of southern Dallas’ population, with 43% of the population compared with 30% in northern Dallas.

 Ethnic/racial percentage distribution by zipcode.
     See also maps for
     Hispanics
     Whites
     African American
     Asians

• The Dallas PMSA age mix has also changed slightly in the last 15 years.  Perhaps the most noticeable trend between 1990 and 2000 is a drop in the population of 20- to 34-year-olds, from 29% to less than 25%.

• Dallas County shows a continuing trend for this population.  Census 2000 showed nearly 26% of the Dallas County population was composed of 20- to 34-year-olds.  By 2004 estimates, 20- to 34-year-olds composed 23% of the Dallas County population.

• The same trend shows for Collin and Denton Counties.
  • In 2000, about 23% of Collin County's population was composed of 20- to 34-year-olds, while by 2004 estimates, about 22% of the population was composed of 20- to 34-year-olds.
  • In 2000, a little more than 26% of Denton County's population was composed of 20- to 34-year-olds, while by 2004 estimates, a little less than 26% of the population was composed of 20- to 34-year-olds.