White Americans: Demographic Trends, Ancestry, and Census Data

The demographic landscape of the United States is a complex tapestry of migration, heritage, and evolving identity. Among the most significant groups in this mosaic are White Americans, a broad category encompassing individuals of European, Middle Eastern, and North African descent. By analyzing data from the U.S. Census, we can trace how this population has shifted in size, distribution, and self-identification over more than two centuries.

According to the 2020 US Census, the population identifying as White alone consists of 204,277,273 people, representing 61.63% of the total US population. When including those who identify as White in combination with other races (multiracial), the number rises to 235,411,507, or 71.02% of the population.

English Dissenters praying in "Embarkation of the Pilgrims", by Robert Walter Weir (1857).

Key Facts

Largest white ancestry by county, per the 1980 census

Total Population (2020): 235.4 million identify as White alone or in combination.
Multiracial Growth: Approximately 31.1 million people (9.39% of the US population) identify as multiracial White.
Primary Ancestries: British, German, and Irish are the most common reported ancestries.
Religious Affiliation: Protestantism (48%) is the most prevalent faith, followed by irreligious (24%) and Catholicism (19%).
Geographic Concentration: The highest percentages of non-Hispanic Whites are found in New England states like Vermont and Maine.

Ancestry and Ethnic Composition

The Washington National Cathedral, the majority are Protestant Christian and a minority are Catholic Christian.

The White American population is not a monolith but a collection of diverse ethnic origins. While many identify broadly as European, specific ancestral ties remain strong. The British ancestry remains the largest group, followed by German and Irish heritage.

Beyond Europe, the census definition of White includes individuals with origins in the Middle East and North Africa. This diversity is reflected in prominent American figures; for example, Steven Paul Jobs was of Syrian and Swiss descent, and Lorenzo Lamas is of Spanish-Argentine and Norwegian descent.

Steven Paul Jobs was an American inventor of Arab (Syrian) and Swiss descent.

Lorenzo Lamas is an American actor of Spanish-Argentine and Norwegian descent.

Distribution of Major Ancestries (2022 Estimates)

The following table provides a snapshot of the most common ancestries reported by those identifying as White.

Major White Ancestries in the United States (2022)
Ancestry	Number (Alone)	Number (Alone or Combination)	Percentage
British	13,241,923	41,137,168	12.3%
German	12,331,696	31,380,620	9.4%
Irish	8,649,243	30,655,612	9.2%
Italian	14,929,899	17,786,214	5.3%
Polish	5,766,634	16,009,774	4.8%

Largest white alone ancestry by county, per the 2020 census

Largest white alone or in any combination ancestry by county, per the 2020 census

Historical Population Trends

Three members of the Kennedy political dynasty, Robert, Ted and John Kennedy. All eight of their great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland.

The proportion of the US population identifying as White has fluctuated since the first census in 1790. In the early 19th century, the percentage remained relatively stable, peaking at 89.8% in 1930 and 1940. However, the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st have seen a gradual decline in the percentage of the population identifying as White alone.

This shift is attributed to several factors, including changing immigration patterns and a significant increase in individuals identifying as multiracial. Between 2000 and 2020, the percentage of the population identifying as White alone dropped from 75.1% to 61.6%.

National Origins of the White Population, 1920 census.

White Americans of one race (or alone) from 1960 to 2020

Regional Distribution and Demographics

Geographically, the concentration of White Americans varies significantly by state. The Northeast and Midwest generally maintain higher percentages of White residents. For instance, Vermont (95.6%) and Maine (95.4%) report some of the highest percentages of White residents in the country.

In contrast, states with higher diversity, such as California and Texas, show lower percentages of White alone populations. The 2020 Census highlights a clear distinction between Non-Hispanic Whites and White Hispanics, the latter of whom represent a growing segment of the population.

White alone share of population by state, according to the 2020 Census

White Americans of one race (or alone) in 2020 by county

Age and Structure

Population pyramids reveal the age distribution within these groups. The structure for Non-Hispanic Whites differs from that of Hispanic Whites, reflecting different birth rates and migration histories.

White Americans (alone/single race) population pyramid in 2020

Population pyramid of Non-Hispanic Whites in 2020.

Population pyramid of Hispanic Whites in 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between "White alone" and "White in combination"?

"White alone" refers to individuals who identify solely as White. "White in combination" includes people who identify as White and one or more other races, reflecting a growing trend in multiracial identification in the US.

Which European ancestries are most common in the US?

The most common European ancestries are British, German, and Irish, followed by Italian and Polish.

What is the most common religion among White Americans?

Protestantism is the most common religious affiliation at 48%, followed by those who are irreligious (24%) and Catholics (19%).

Which US states have the highest percentage of White residents?

Vermont and Maine have the highest percentages of White residents, both exceeding 95% according to recent data.

How has the White population percentage changed since 1930?

The percentage of the population identifying as White alone peaked at 89.8% in 1930 and 1940, before gradually declining to 61.6% by the 2020 Census.