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Census 2000 Profile: Washington
MARCH 27, 2001

Part I of a profile of Washington and its American Indian / Alaska Native population.

The American Indian population in Washington grew by a steady 14.5 percent over the past decade, according to Census 2000 figures released last week.

Yet an interesting phenomenon occurred in the state's most populous city and county. In Seattle, the Indian population fell by nearly 23 percent. In King County, where Seattle is located, the Indian population fell by 8 percent. (See Charts)

Spokane, the second largest city, saw a similar decrease but a much smaller one. The Indian population fell by 5 percent drop in Indian population although the surrounding Spokane County saw its Indian population increase by almost 6 percent.

In Tacoma, the state's third most populous, the Indian population increased by 6 percent. In Pierce County, where Tacoma is located, the Indian population grew by 19 percent.

Overall, most other large cities and counties saw an increase in American Indians and Alaska Natives. At 93,301, American Indians are 1.6 percent of the state's population.

Washington residents took advantage of identifying themselves at a higher rate (3.9 percent) than the United States as a whole (2.4 percent). In fact, American Indian and White (47,795) was the largest multiple race category selected by Census 2000 respondents in the state.

Part II of Washington's profile will take a look at reservation populations.

Table 1: Population by race, based only on respondents who identified themselves as one race.
RACE POPULATION PERCENTAGE GROWTH (%)
1990 - 2000
All 5,894,121 100.0 21.1
White 4,821,823 81.8 11.9
Asian-American 322,335 1.1 64.1
African-American 190,267 3.2 27.0
American Indian / Alaska Native 93,301 1.6 14.5
Sources: Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, for All Ages and for 18 Years and Over, for Washington:  2000; Difference in Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, for Washington:  2000

Table 2: Cities with largest American Indian / Alaska Native population.
CITY AI / AN GROWTH (%)
1990 - 2000
Seattle 5,659 -22.8
Spokane 3,444 -4.9
Tacoma 3,794 6.4
Source: Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, for the 15 Largest Counties and Incorporated Places in Washington: 2000

Table 3: Counties with largest American Indian / Alaska Native population.
COUNTY AI / AN GROWTH (%)
1990 - 2000
King 15,922 -8.0
Pierce 9,963 19.4
Yakima 9,966 18.6
Snohomish 8,250 28.5
Spokane 5,847 5.6
Source: Population by Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin, for the 15 Largest Counties and Incorporated Places in Washington: 2000


Additional Data
Census 2000 Data for the State of Washington - http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2001/tables/redist_wa.html

Related Stories
Reservation counties among poorest (11/24)
Native population on the rise (08/31)
Census data by state (08/31)
 

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