New England is more populous and, in most places, more multicultural than a decade ago, according to data released last week from the 2020 census.

The US Census Bureau announced population counts and data on ethnicity, race and voting age across the country, down to the local level. Nationally, the data shows that the United States is more multicultural and more racially diverse than ever before.

This also rings true for many parts of New England, which historically has three of the whitest states in the country – Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Here are some key 2020 Census takeaways from each New England state.

Following: Census: US sees unprecedented multiracial growth and white population decline for first time in history

Connecticut

• Connecticut is becoming more multicultural

Census data shows that the number of people in Connecticut identifying with two or more races increased by 259.2% between 2010 and 2020 – largely due to the way the 2020 census allowed people describe their racial background in more detail, rather than ticking a single box. The state’s white population has shrunk 13% over the past decade.

• New London County is losing population and seeing demographics change

New London County saw its total population decline by 5,504, a decrease of 2%. During this time, the county has seen an increase in its Hispanic and Pacific Islander populations, as well as people who identify with two or more races. The county’s black population remained largely unchanged, while its Asian and Native American populations declined.

Maine

• Wells and Ogunquit among the fastest growing in York County

Wells’ population has grown 18% over the past decade, and the population of neighboring Ogunquit — which was part of Wells until it separated in 1980 — has grown 76.8% since 2010. York ranked second in population growth among Maine’s 16 counties. .

• Still the oldest/whitest state in the country, but it’s branching out

Maine remains the oldest and whitest state in the country, but it has seen an increase in the number of multicultural residents from 2010 to 2020. In York County in particular – the southernmost county in the state – the population in 2020 was 1% Black (an increase of 89.4% from 2010), 1.2% Asian (up 20.2%) and 1.9% Hispanic ( up 65.3%). Another 5.6% reported their race as Native American, Pacific Islander, other or two or more races.

Massachusetts

• Boston is losing black residents

While Boston is a city where the majority of residents are people of color, the city has seen a decline in its black population since 2010 — a drop of 3.3%. The Boston Globe reported that the decline is seen particularly in Roxbury and Mattapan, which are becoming increasingly gentrified. Overall, however, Boston is becoming more diverse, and the percentages of Asian, Hispanic, and other multicultural residents are increasing.

• Quincy hits 100,000, Asian population tops 30%

Census data reveals that the town of Quincy has grown to over 100,000 people – 101,636 people now live in the town. Quincy, which is the only city on the South Shore, saw its Asian population increase to almost 31% and its black population to 5.7%. Both ethnic groups have seen an increase of nearly 50% since the last census in 2010.

• Brockton grew at nearly double the rate of Plymouth County as a whole; Black population increased by 26%

Since 2010, the city of Brockton’s population has grown by nearly 13%, nearly double the rate of Plymouth County as a whole. The city’s population was estimated at 105,643, and demographic changes were marked. The white population fell by 29%, while the black population increased by 26%.

• More and more year-round residents call Cape Cod their primary residence; Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard are experiencing significant growth

On Cape Cod, traditionally seasonal towns have seen a greater increase in population than more year-round areas, meaning more people call Cape Cod home year-round. The island county of Nantucket, which is also the city of Nantucket, was the fastest growing county in Massachusetts in percentage change, increasing 40.1% over the past decade. Dukes County, which includes Martha’s Vineyard, rose 24.6%.

New Hampshire

• Seacoast towns see more multicultural residents, but remain the fourth least diverse state in the nation

Overall, coastal cities have seen an increase in the number of Black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino residents. Rochester, for example, saw a 36.7% increase in its black population. Portsmouth, however, has seen its black population decline by 30.6% over the past decade, while its Asian and Hispanic populations have grown.

• The state depends on immigration

Kenneth Johnson, a senior demographer at the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy, said the state owes its population growth to immigration from other countries and migration from other states. . “Immigration” accounted for 89% of New Hampshire’s population gain.

Rhode Island

• Almost all cities saw fewer white residents

All but three cities and towns in Rhode Island saw their white populations decline from 2010 to 2020. The largest declines in white residents occurred in Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence. These three cities saw intensive efforts by Latino leaders to ensure that members of their communities were counted.

• ‘Trump cities’ are stunting Rhode Island’s growth

Rhode Island cities and towns that voted for Joe Biden in 2020 grew faster than those that voted for Donald Trump. Last year, 28 of the state’s 39 cities and towns preferred Biden. Biden communities added 41,043 people over the decade, a growth rate of 4.6%. The 11 communities that favored Trump only added 3,769 people, a growth rate of 2.4%.

Vermont

• Vermont sees growth in Hispanic population

Vermont saw its Hispanic population increase by 68.4%, or approximately 6,300 people, between 2010 and 2020. While the state’s percentage increase is significant for Hispanic and Black residents, the actual numbers remain small . Vermont is the second whitest state in the country.

• Chittenden County is the most populous

More than a quarter of Vermont’s total population lives in Chittenden County, which includes Burlington. The county has seen its population increase by 7.5% over the past decade, the largest percentage increase of Vermont’s 14 counties.