In 2007 the population distribution was 55.6% black, 36.3% white, 8.3% Hispanic (of any race), 5% other (including Native Americans, Alaskans, Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders), 3.1% Asian, and 1.6% mixed .[20] Even though they compose the city's largest ethnic group, Washington has a steadily declining black population, due to many African Americans' leaving the city for suburbs. At the same time, the city's Caucasian population has steadily increased, in part due to effects of gentrification in many of Washington's traditionally black neighborhoods.[11] This is evident in a 7.3% decrease in the African-American population, and a 17.8% increase in the Caucasian population since 2000.[13] In addition, some African Americans are going to the South in a New Great Migration, because of family ties, increased opportunities and lower cost of living.[21]
In 2007, there were an estimated 74,000 foreign immigrants living in Washington, D.C.[20] Major sources of immigration include El Salvador, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, with some concentration of Salvadorans in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.[22] The "Friendship Arch" is at the center of Chinatown.
The largest Hispanic group is Salvadoran, accounting for an estimated 18,505 of Washington's 45,901 Hispanics.[23] D.C. has a steadily declining African American population, due to many middle-class and professional African Americans moving to the suburbs, mostly in Maryland (for example, the African American majority in Prince George's County) and Northern Virginia aggravated by the rising cost of living in the area, in addition to the clear acceleration of gentrification.[24]
Thanks very much, Carolyn. I would have guessed the black percentage higher, but it’s a sufficient majority to swing elections. I’m so sorry the ‘education mayor’ lost.