County…..Non-Hispanic white population in 2000…..Non-Hispanic white population in 2013…..Percent change
Chatham…..54.2…..50…..4.2
Douglas…..76…..46.2…..29.8
Gwinnett…..67…..41.6…..25.4
Henry…..80.1…..49.8…..30.3
Rockdale…..72.8…..37.8…..34.9
Five Georgia counties are among nearly 80 nationwide that have flipped from majority-white since the year 2000.
And metro Atlanta has seen some of the biggest changes. Four local counties are among the five that have seen the greatest decrease in the population of whites as a percentage of the total population, according to data from the Pew Research Center.
Rockdale, Henry, Douglas and Gwinnett counties all became majority-minority between 2000 and 2013. Each had at least a 25 percent decrease in the proportion of their population that was non-Hispanic white. The other county in the top five is in Virginia.
The Pew data shows counties that used to be majority white, but where there is now no single racial or ethnic majority. In Georgia, Pew said, the changes come as the white population in those counties is flat or declining, while the black and Hispanic populations rise.
As of 2013, 41.6 percent of Gwinnett’s population was non-Hispanic white, compared to 67 percent in 2000. In Douglas County, the total was 46.2 percent, down from 76 percent. Henry County fell to 49.8 percent white, from 80.1 percent, and Rockdale County dropped to 37.8 percent white, from 72.8 percent.
In Chatham County, where Savannah is located, the white population fell to 50 percent, from 54.2 percent of the population.
About the Author
