Hello,
Craving more data?
Focus on Demographics
April 1 is Census Day! The U.S. Constitution requires that the government make an “actual enumeration” (complete count) of all people in the United States every 10 years. In addition to the number of people in each household, the Census questionnaire includes questions about age, sex, race and national origins.

The population counts are used to determine representation in the U.S. Congress and in state and local voting districts. The counts are also used to allocate billions in federal, state and local government funding. From the Census data, we learn a lot about the population, as shown in the graphics below. 

The population pyramid below shows the distribution of ages of Washington County residents and how they have changed over the last 70 years. The animation includes Census data from 1950 – 2010 and an estimate for 2018.  
Washington County Population Pyramid
How we live
of all households in Washington County are families
are householders living alone
are living with non-family members
Population by place of birth
42% of people in Washington County were born in Oregon and 40% were born elsewhere in the U.S. Of residents born outside of the U.S., nearly half were born in Asia. 
Population by race and ethnicity
While the Census questions about race and ethnicity are not perfect and do not adequately capture the complexities of America’s racial history and identities , the Census data is often the best available resource.

The Census form asks people to self-identify their race from the following categories: White, Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. The 2020 Census form allows people to check as many boxes as they believe apply to them. The animation below shows how Washington County’s non-white population has changed over time. 
Percent of Washington County Population
In 1980, at least 7% of respondents identified as Persons of Color. In 2010 that proportion grew to at least 30%.

The U.S. Census Bureau also asks about Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. The Census defines race and ethnicity to be two separate and distinct concepts. Washington County’s percentage of residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino increased significantly from 3% in 1980 to 16% in 2010. 
2010 Census: Self-response rate for Washington County
For the 2010 Census, nearly 75% of County residents responded to the Census online, by mail or by phone. The remaining residents were counted in person by Census takers.
 
Washington County residents had the second-highest self-response rate among all counties in Oregon counties in 2010, trailing only Benton County.  Let’s be #1 in 2020! Everybody counts!
To respond to the Census online, visit www.my2020census.gov
Sources: Decennial Census, Census Bureau Population Estimate program, Portland State University’s Population Research Center and IPUMS NHGIS, University of Minnesota, www.nhgis.org
Washington County Department of
Land Use & Transportation
www.co.washington.or.us/lut  | 503-846-4530
155 N First Avenue, Suite 250, MS 16, Hillsboro, OR 97124
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