The Most Popular Race in the United States, Ranked

Choose the race you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:46
In a nation as diverse and sprawling as the United States, the variety of races and their cultural significance paint a colorful mosaic of history and identity. Understanding which races capture the public's affection the most can shed light on societal trends and inspire community engagement. This knowledge helps in celebrating diversity and recognizing how different cultural backgrounds contribute to the fabric of national identity. By participating in this ranking, users contribute their voice to a larger conversation about cultural appreciation and representation. Each vote not only helps determine the current favorites but also reflects the changing dynamics of cultural prominence in America. It's a dynamic way for individuals to express which cultural narratives resonate most with them and to see how others in their community feel about these races as well.

What Is the Most Popular Race in the United States?

  1. 1
    36
    votes
    White Americans
    Alexander Gardner · Public domain

    White Americans

    U.S. Census Bureau
    76.3% of the population
    White Americans are people in the United States who self-identify as white and have ancestry from Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. They make up the largest racial or ethnic group in the United States, comprising approximately 76.3% of the population as of 2020.
    • Population Percentage: 76.3%
    • Ancestry: Primarily European, Middle Eastern, and North African
    • Cultural Diversity: Includes various ethnic backgrounds such as Irish, German, Italian, English, Polish, Scottish, French, etc.
    • Language: English is the dominant language, but many also speak ancestral languages or regional dialects
    • Religion: Diverse range of religious beliefs including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others
    White Americans in other rankings
  2. 2
    43
    votes

    Hispanic or Latino Americans

    U.S. Census Bureau
    18.5% of the population
    Hispanic or Latino Americans are individuals in the United States who have roots in Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, or other Spanish-speaking countries. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, which combines elements of Indigenous, European, and African traditions.
    • Population: Approximately 60 million
    • Language: Spanish is commonly spoken, along with English
    • Origin: Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and other Spanish-speaking countries
    • Cultural Heritage: A fusion of Indigenous, European, and African traditions
    • Diversity: Comprises various nationalities and ethnic backgrounds
  3. 3
    19
    votes
    Black or African American
    Handy Bros. Music Co. Inc. · CC BY-SA 4.0

    Black or African American

    U.S. Census Bureau
    13.4% of the population
    Black or African American is a racial category used in the United States to refer to people with African ancestry or those who identify as being of African descent. It includes individuals who have origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
    • Population: Approximately 13.4% of the U.S. population (as of 2019)
    • History: Descendants of Africans enslaved in the United States, as well as immigrants from Africa and their descendants
    • Identity: Those who self-identify as being Black or African American
    • Diversity: Multiple ethnicities, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds within the racial category
    • Civil Rights Movement: Significant involvement and contributions in the struggle for civil rights and equality
  4. 4
    10
    votes

    Asian Americans

    U.S. Census Bureau
    5.9% of the population
    Asian Americans are a diverse group of people with origins from various countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. They represent the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. Asian Americans have made significant contributions to various fields including arts, sciences, business, and technology.
    • Population: Approximately 22 million
    • Origins: Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, and more
    • Languages: Multiple languages including Mandarin, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Korean, and others
    • Cultural Diversity: Various cultural traditions, festivals, and cuisines
    • Education: High educational attainment and strong representation in higher education
    Asian Americans in other rankings
  5. 5
    15
    votes

    American Indian and Alaska Native

    United States Census Bureau
    2.8% of the population
    American Indian and Alaska Native refers to individuals who belong to indigenous tribes or have ancestral ties to the indigenous peoples of the United States, including Alaska. They have a rich cultural heritage and diverse practices, languages, and traditions.
    • Population Estimate: 5.2 million
    • Tribal Sovereignty: Recognized with varying degrees of self-governance
    • Languages: Over 500 distinct languages
    • Tribal Nations: Over 570 federally recognized tribes
    • Historical Significance: Significant contributions to American history and culture
  6. 6
    14
    votes

    Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    United States Census Bureau
    0.2% of the population
    Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander is a racial category used by the United States Census Bureau to classify individuals originating from the indigenous peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islander cultures.
    • Classification: Racial category
    • Origin: Indigenous peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islander cultures
    • Census usage: United States Census Bureau
    • Population in the US: Approximately 1.4 million (as of 2019)
    • Ethnic diversity: Includes people of diverse ethnic backgrounds within the Pacific Islander category
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    Two or more races
    TobiasKilian · CC BY-SA 3.0
    2.7% of the population
    The category of 'Two or more races' refers to individuals who identify with multiple racial backgrounds. This category acknowledges the growing number of people in the United States who come from diverse racial backgrounds and do not exclusively identify with a single race.
    • Purpose: To capture the racial identity of individuals with mixed racial backgrounds.
    • Identification: Individuals can self-identify as being of two or more races.
    • Options: Allows individuals to choose one or multiple racial categories, including those that represent their mixed race identity.
    • Distinct Identity: Acknowledges the unique racial identity and experiences of people with mixed racial backgrounds.
    • Recognition: Recognizes the diverse racial heritage and promotes inclusivity.
  8. 8
    4
    votes

    Other race

    U.S. Census Bureau
    0.2% of the population
    The category 'Other race' is used by the U.S. Census Bureau to classify individuals who do not identify themselves within the specified racial categories.
    • Classification: Category for individuals who do not identify within specified racial categories.
    • Inclusion: Includes individuals who self-identify as being of mixed racial background.
    • Voluntary: Self-reported by individuals who do not identify with the pre-defined racial categories.
    • Multiracial: Some individuals of mixed ancestry can select this category.
    • Incomplete data: The 'Other race' category may consist of an assortment of different racial backgrounds.
  9. 9
    10
    votes

    Middle Eastern or North African

    U.S. Census Bureau
    1.0% of the population
    Middle Eastern or North African is a demographic category used in the United States to classify individuals with origins from the Middle East or North Africa region. It refers to people who trace their ancestry to countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
    • Classification: Demographic category
    • Origins: Middle East and North Africa region
    • Ancestral countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
    • Population: Varies, estimated around 3-4 million individuals
    • Ethnicities: Arab, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Jewish, and others
  10. 10
    0
    votes

    Some other race

    United States Census Bureau
    2.3% of the population
    The category 'Some other race' is used to classify individuals who identify themselves as belonging to a race or ethnic group that is not explicitly listed in U.S. Census Bureau's racial categories.
    • Classification: Alternative racial classification category
    • Purpose: To capture and recognize the diversity of individuals who do not fit into the predefined racial categories
    • Usage: Used in the United States Census and other demographic surveys
    • Identification: Voluntarily self-identified by individuals
    • Examples: Includes multiracial individuals, those of mixed heritage, or individuals identifying with specific ethnic groups not listed explicitly

Missing your favorite race?

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Ranking factors for popular race

  1. Population size
    The total number of individuals belonging to each racial group in the United States. This data can be obtained from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau.
  2. Demographic trends
    Trends in population growth, migration, and aging within each racial group provide insight into how the popularity of a race is changing over time.
  3. Cultural influence
    The impact of a race's culture on American society, including its influence on language, food, music, entertainment, and customs.
  4. Political influence
    A race's influence on politics, including voter turnout rates, representation in government positions, and the prominence of politicians belonging to that racial group.
  5. Socioeconomic factors
    Educational attainment, income levels, and employment rates among different racial groups can indicate a race's societal standing and influence.
  6. Media representation
    The visibility of various racial groups in media, including television, movies, news outlets, and advertising.
  7. Public opinion
    Survey data on how Americans perceive different races, including favorability ratings, tolerance levels, and perceptions of discrimination.
  8. Intermarriage rates
    Rates of interracial marriages can indicate the level of social integration and acceptance of different racial groups.
  9. Historical context
    The historical presence, contributions, and experiences of each race in the United States can also play a role in their popularity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular race in the United States. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or racing is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1194 views
  • 158 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each racing once every 24 hours. The rank of each racing is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular race in the united states

The United States is a melting pot of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and races. With such a wide range of people living in the country, it's natural to wonder which race is the most popular. While it's difficult to determine the exact number of people belonging to each race, the US Census Bureau collects data on the racial makeup of the country. According to the latest figures, the most popular race in the United States is White, making up about 60% of the population. However, the Hispanic/Latino population is the fastest-growing group, increasing by over 23% from 2010 to 2020. Other significant racial groups include Black or African American, Asian, and Native American or Alaska Native. It's essential to understand the racial demographics of the United States to better understand and address social and political issues.

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