Population Diversity & Distribution September 14, 2017

Racial/Ethnic Distribution What changes does this chart project? The 2050 data are a projection. The Hispanic and Asian populations are growing as a percentage of the total population. Whites are in proportional decline.

Age Distribution What does this chart tell us about the age distribution of various population groups? The Hispanic population is younger than the other groups.

Population Distribution Which regions are most populous? Which are least populous? Both coasts, the Midwest, and the South are most populous. The Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain region are the least populous.

Population Movement

Frostbelt to Sunbelt The Northeast and Midwest are known as the Frostbelt. The South and West are known as the Sunbelt. The Sunbelt region has been growing more rapidly than the Frostbelt for decades.

Population Distribution Nonmetropolitan areas are losing population. In urban areas, the historic core of cities (central cities) are growing more slowly than the suburbs.

Religious Diversity

Religious Affiliation

Faith-Based Issues Are peoples’ views on political issues influenced by religious belief? What issues? Abortion Same-sex marriage Public school prayer Immigration reform Response to climate change Civil rights Assistance to the poor Death penalty

Change in Affiliations What group has grown the most rapidly? “Nones”

Americans are less religious than most people in the developing world, but more religious than most people in Europe.

What We Have Learned What is the racial/ethnic make-up of the population and how is it changing? How has the distribution of the U.S. population changed among regions of the country and locations relative to large cities? What are the most important religious groups in the United States? What is the relationship between religious faith and attitudes toward various political issues in the United States? How religious are Americans compared to other people in the world?