Although trailing other cities in the percentage of minority population, Seattle's share nevertheless increased from 26 percent in 1990 to 32 percent in 2000. When compared to the top 25 cities, Seattle ranks behind only three California cities in the percentage of Asian-Pacific Islanders. San Francisco tops the list with 1 in 3 residents identifying themselves as Asian or Pacific Islander. In Seattle, it is 1 in 6. The city ranks 19th among the 25 cities in the percentage of blacks.
Blacks make up more than half of the population in Detroit, Baltimore and Memphis.
Seattle ranks 18th among the top 25 in the percentage of Hispanics, trailing other West Coast cities. Hispanics make up close to half of the overall population in Los Angeles. Though Seattle's overall minority population is lower than other cities, it reflects a collection of different races. In several other cities, diversity is rooted in a single race. King County's population mirrors Seattle.