The 2020 census
results show that not only is Long Island's population on the rise, but it is
also becoming more diverse.
Minerva Perez, the
executive director of OLA of Eastern Long Island, says she’s thrilled that the
recent census numbers show Hispanics make up 20% of Long Island's population in
2020 – an increase from nearly 16% in 2016.
Perez says
“civic engagement” of the Hispanic community is crucial.
The census
also reported that people of color make up
40% of Long Island's population, which is up from 31% in 2010.
Theresa Sanders is
the president and CEO of Urban League of Long Island. She says while the 2020
census will create opportunities for people of color, there is still work to be
done.
“I’m excited about the opportunity, but I’m also very realistic about
the backlash that may come with that. Long Island is still one of the most
segregated communities in America,” Sanders says. “We're still lacking in terms of education equity,
financial equity, housing equity. We still have those hurdles to get over, but
it all starts with the people that are engaged in those entities. Are they
going to open doors and be more inclusive or are they going to create more
barriers to access?”
The 2020 census reveals that as Long Island
became more diverse and as minorities increased, the white population on the
Island has declined.
“A diverse Long Island doesn't mean it's less of
one and more of another, it means we're now all at the table, and when we're
all at the table, good things happen,” Perez says.
Click here for the full results of the 2020 census.