TERRE HAUTE — Census data from 2010 is trickling in and the growing diversity of Vigo County population growth has been confirmed.
According to the newest data released Thursday afternoon, the city of Terre Haute’s population increased from 59,614 in 2000 to 60,785 last year, up 1.02 percent. Vigo County numbers climbed 1.9 percent to 107,848 during the same decade.
Data from the 2010 Census will continue to be released throughout the year by topic measured.
Meanwhile, Indiana as a whole has added 403,317 residents since 2000, chalking up a 6.6 percent increase. As of April 1, 2010, the Hoosier state contained 6,483,802 people.
Across the country, America’s population has grown 9.7 percent to reach the 308.7 million mark. The nation’s fastest-growing region during the 21st century’s first decade was the Southwest, led by Nevada’s 35 percent growth, Arizona’s 25 percent growth and Utah’s 24 percent growth.
Regionally, Indiana’s growth rate outpaced that of Illinois’ 3.3 percent, Ohio’s 1.6 percent and Michigan’s loss of .6 percent. Kentucky’s population jumped 7.4 percent.
Nationally, Michigan was the only state to lose population during the decade. With 37.3 million residents, California is the country’s most populous state. Indiana ranks No. 15 in terms of population.
Locally, Vigo County’s adult population, defined as those 18 years and older, grew 3.9 percent to a total of 84,799 in 2010. The number of youth under 18, however, dropped 4.8 percent to 23,049.
The ethnic make-up of the county remains predominantly white, although the population identifying itself as such dropped .8 percent to 95,207. The African-American population rose 16.3 percent to 7,437 while Asians climbed 37.7 percent to 1,781. Residents identifying themselves as Hispanic increased 93.6 percent to 2,469, while those claiming “multi-racial” jumped 63.9 percent to 2,386 and those describing themselves as “other” jumped 39.8 percent to 1,037.
The total minority population in Vigo County was tagged at 14,298, up 34.1 percent.
State-wide, 5.47 million Hoosiers identified themselves as white, followed by 591,397 African-Americans, 389,707 Hispanics, 102,474 Asians and 194,124 combined in the categories of Native American, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
The Hispanic population increased 81.7 percent in Indiana since 2000, accounting for 43 percent of the state’s total growth for that period.
With regards to real estate, total housing units in Vigo County increased 1.8 percent in 10 years, with occupied housing units increasing .9 percent. The number of vacant housing units increased 10.5 percent to 4,645.
The counties circling Indianapolis led the state in terms of growth, accounting for 57 percent of Indiana’s overall growth. Hamilton County set the pace as Carmel’s population jumped 110 percent, followed by Fishers with 103 percent and Noblesville with 82 percent.
Cities losing substantial population included Gary with a 22 percent decline, down to 80,294 from 102,746. Evansville’s population fell 3.4 percent, along with South Bend’s drop of 6.1 percent, Anderson’s 6 percent decline and Kokomo’s 1.4 drop.
Indiana’s top five cities per the 2010 Census are now Indianapolis with 820,445, Fort Wayne with 253,691, Evansville with 117,429, South Bend at 101,168 and Hammond at 80,830.
Overall, 63 Hoosier counties gained residents while 29 lost this last decade.
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