Whites a Minority in Big City Populations

April 30 -- Among the total population of the nation's 100 largest cities, white residents are for the first time in the minority, due largely to an influx of Hispanics, according to a new analysis of data from the 2000 census.

In 1990, whites made up 52 percent of residents of the 100 biggest cities. In 2000, they accounted for 44 percent.

The big-city white population declined by 2.3 million over the 10-year period, while the Hispanic population grew by 3.8 million — an increase of 43 percent.

"The change in city populations could have a number of economic and political implications," said Bruce Katz, director of the Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, which conducted the analysis.

Hispanic Gains Seen

While almost all of the top 100 cities gained Hispanic residents, the Hispanic influx was especially pronounced in some cities. Anaheim, Calif. was 31 percent Hispanic in 1990 and 47 percent Hispanic in 2000.

Some smaller cities, especially in the South, saw their Hispanic populations increase several times over. The Hispanic population of Charlotte, N.C. shot up by 614 percent between 1990 and 2000, and by 250 percent or more in Raleigh, N.C., Memphis, Tenn., Indianapolis, Ind., Minneapolis, Minn. and Little Rock, Ark.

Many of the Hispanics moving to cities are immigrants. "I think most mayors will tell you that the increase in immigrant populations is helping to restore some of their commercial areas, revitalize neighborhoods," said Katz.

However, the demographic changes can put strain on cities' services.

"Cities are going to have to change to respond to the different needs of new residents," Katz said. "Some cities have larger populations that are aging. I think the increase in immigrant populations in cities could mean that they could have to deal with more children, therefore schools and other services."

As an example of political change, Katz points to Los Angeles, where Antonio Villaraigosa is poised to become the city's first Hispanic mayor since 1872. Hispanics grew from 40 percent to 47 percent of the population in Los Angeles, while whites declined from 37 percent to 30 percent.