2020 U.S. Census Results: The Changing Demographics Of Westwood

WESTWOOD, MA - The last 10 years have marked a dramatic shift in the demographic makeup of the United States, with a marked shrinkage of the white population and the rapid growth of the Hispanic community.

These changes were reflected in Westwood, where the percentage of people who identified themselves as people of color grew significantly despite small numbers of residents.

Westwood showed an increase in the number of people who identified themselves as multiracial, although the reasons are complex. Experts say the increase reflects changes in the way people identify themselves as well the number of children born to parents of mixed races or ethnicities, along with changes in the wording of census forms themselves.

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The white population is stil the largest group in Westwood, comprising 82.76 percent of the town's 16,266 residents at 13,462 people.

Several groups saw significant percentage increases, although the number of residents was relatively small.

The largest Westwood jump was in the population that identified themselves as having two racial identities plus non-Hispanic. The percentage skyrocketed by 324.39 percent, although it only has 522 residents.

The next biggest percentage gain was in people who identified as other non-Hispanic at 240.91. There are 75 Westwood residents in this category.

The Asian population also grew sharply. There are 1,478 Asian non-Hispanic residents, a leap of 103.86 percent.

The Black non-Hispanic population saw a gain of 107.09 percent to 263 residents.