The 2010 Census numbers are in and New Jersey continues to become more diverse.

Our population grew slightly over the last 10 years by 4.5% to 8.8 million, far below the national growth rate of 9%.

When you look at break-out numbers of diverse groups within the state, New Jersey continues to look very different. Non-Hispanic white people fell by more than 300,000 and the Asian population jumped by 51% while the number of Hispanics increased 39% to more than 1.5 million people.

Why is this important?

As our population shifts by race and ethnicity, it's important that all of us learn to value those differences.

Not only are we neighbors, colleagues, parents/grandparents of our children's classmates and, more and more frequently, friends - in fact, we are New Jerseyans together.

The growth and continued impact of the Hispanic, Asian and African-American communities in New Jersey means strong purchasing power and significant influence politically, in our schools and in our businesses.

Our lives, livelihoods and futures are inter-twined as we become a society with no clear majority.

The numbers tell that story.

Diane

Source: The New York Times 2/3/11