Report: Millennials Are Most Diverse Generation In U-S History

A new report from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program reveals the millennial generation, now 44 percent minority and America’s largest generation at 75 million strong, is set to serve as a social, economic, and political bridge to future (and increasingly racially diverse) generations.

The report, “The millennial generation: A demographic bridge to America’s diverse future,” provides an in-depth examination of the demographic makeup of millennials for the nation, the largest 100 metropolitan areas, and all 50 states. Comprising nearly a quarter of the total U.S. population, 30 percent of the voting age population, and two-fifths of the working age population, the report  underscores the impact millennials will have as America prepares for its first non-white majority generation, which will succeed them.

William H. Frey, senior fellow at Brookings and the report’s author, said, “Millennials are already making an indelible impact on the nation, as the most diverse – and now largest – adult generation. As the bridge between a whiter, older America and the multi-hued country we are becoming, millennials will pave the way for the generations behind them as workers, consumers, and leaders in business and government in their acceptance by and participation in tomorrow’s more racially diverse nation.”

The report explores a cultural generation gap between older, predominantly white generations and the very diverse generations succeeding millennials. In 2015, this gap revealed a 68.4 percent white population share for those over the age of 35 (pre-millennials) and a distinctly lower 51.5 percent white population share for those under the age of 18 (post-millennials). Both demographics are projected to continue to lose white population shares, down to 64.8 percent and 46 percenT respectively by 2035.

Key findings of the report:

• Regional variation: Racial and ethnic minorities make up more than half of the millennial population in 10 states, including California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, and New Jersey—and in another 10 states, including New York, Illinois, and North and South Carolina, minorities comprise more than 40 percent of millennialresidents.

Race/ethnicity breakdown by geography:

• White: The largest white millennial settlements are in the biggest metropolitan areas—New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles—as well as Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. Eighteen of the 100 largest metro areas have millennial populations that are less than 60 percent white, including Seattle, Charlotte, Tampa, and Philadelphia. Additionally, 30 metros are “minority white,” including Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Chicago.
• Black: In general, black millennials settle more often in Southern areas (including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami, as well as New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.). In Atlanta, Charlotte, and Detroit, blacks are the largest minority group among millennials.
• Hispanic: The share of Hispanics within the millennial generation (20.8 percent) is more than double the share of Hispanic Americans (9.1 percent) over the age of 55 as of 2015. New York and Los Angeles are major settlement areas for Hispanic millennials. In general, Hispanic millennials settle more often in Southern areas—Houston, Miami, and Dallas—along with Riverside, Calif., and Chicago.
• Asian: New York and Los Angeles are major settlement areas for Asian millennials. In general, Asian millennials settle more often in the West, including in San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle, along with Chicago and Washington, D.C.