Which of the following is the fastest growing racial minority in the United States?

• A. Hispanics
• B. Asians
• C. Native Hawaiians
• D. Native Americans

Answer: (A)

Growing racial and ethnic groups in the United States hinges on two main forces: how many babies are born to members of the group and how many people migrate into the country. The Hispanic population has expanded fastest because birth rates within this group have been higher than those of other groups, and immigration from Latin America has remained sizable. That combination leads to a rapid increase in both the number of people in the group and its share of the total population, often outpacing growth among Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. Asian populations also grow quickly due to immigration and demographic trends, but the pattern most often described as the fastest-growing minority in many periods is the Hispanic population, reflecting their large-scale growth over time.