You will find a short, sourced answer up front, followed by explanations of how the Census frames race and ethnicity, a statewide snapshot from ACS 2023, county-level considerations with Miami Dade as an example, and practical steps to pull the original ACS tables yourself.
Quick answer and why this question matters
Short headline answer: according to the U.S. Census Bureau and American Community Survey estimates, the largest racial category in Florida is people who identify as White, reported as White alone in Census tables. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
That clear statistical label matters because the Census treats race and Hispanic or Latino origin as separate variables, and the headline race count does not by itself describe the ethnic diversity within the state. ACS 2023 table B03002
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If you need a quick clarification for a report or a voter guide, use the Census table names and geography selectors when you quote numbers.
Readers who want local detail should note that statewide labels can hide sharp county differences, so a state majority on one category does not mean uniform composition across all communities. Census guidance on race and ethnicity (see the site news page).
How the Census counts race and Hispanic ethnicity
The Census asks separate questions about race and about whether a person is of Hispanic or Latino origin. Treating these as two variables is central to accurate interpretation of the data. Census guidance on race and ethnicity
“White alone” is a specific Census category that means a respondent selected White and no other race on the race question; a person who is Hispanic can also be counted in the White alone group if they marked White for race. ACS 2023 table B03002
Statewide snapshot from ACS 2023: what the numbers show
The most recent ACS 1-year estimates show that, statewide, White alone is the largest racial group in Florida and that Hispanic or Latino residents are a significant portion of the population, recorded separately as an ethnicity. ACS 2023 table B03002 (see also the ACS 5-year table ACSDT5Y2022 B03002)
The ACS 2023 results are estimates based on survey samples and are published alongside margins of error; journalists and researchers should cite table B03002 or QuickFacts when reporting statewide counts. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
Why county and metro numbers can look very different
Statewide aggregates often mask local patterns: many Florida counties and metropolitan areas have racial and ethnic mixes that differ sharply from the statewide profile. ACS 2023 table B03002
As an example, Miami Dade County shows a very different composition than the state as a whole, with Hispanic or Latino residents forming a plurality or majority in many local counts. QuickFacts for Miami Dade County
For local planning or reporting it is usually better to consult county or metro ACS tables rather than relying on statewide summaries. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida (also see the site events page).
Cuban origin communities in South Florida and how they appear in data (cuban american values florida)
Cuban origin communities are concentrated in South Florida, especially in Miami Dade County, and they are reported as a distinct Hispanic subgroup in many analyses and surveys. Migration Policy Institute profile on Cuban immigrants
Analysts often treat Cuban origin as a distinct subgroup because of its specific migration history and settlement patterns in South Florida; those characterizations are best attributed to studies and profiles rather than stated as uniform traits. Pew Research Center profile of Cuban Americans
The largest racial category in Florida, per ACS 2023 and Census QuickFacts, is people who identify as White alone; Hispanic or Latino is recorded separately as an ethnicity and makes up a significant share of the population.
When using subgroup descriptions, attribute statements about cultural or political tendencies to the original researchers and check whether the underlying sample or geographic focus matches your use case. Migration Policy Institute profile on Cuban immigrants
What research says about Cuban American communities and political attitudes
MPI documents the history and settlement of Cuban immigrants in the United States and explains how those patterns shaped community institutions in South Florida. Migration Policy Institute profile on Cuban immigrants
Pew Research Center summarizes survey findings about political attitudes and civic engagement among Cuban Americans, noting trends and limits to generalization. Pew Research Center profile of Cuban Americans
Recent demographic trends in Florida, 2010s to early 2020s
Across the 2010s into the early 2020s the non Hispanic White share of Florida’s population declined while Hispanic and multiracial population shares increased, as shown in Census population estimates and ACS trend tables. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
Estimate percent change in share between two years
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percent
Use shares as percentages
These trend statements are drawn from multi year tables and ACS releases; they are estimates that analysts update when new ACS or Census population figures become available. ACS 2023 table B03002
For local interpretation it helps to compare multiple years, watch margins of error for small-area estimates, and use population projections cautiously. Census guidance on race and ethnicity
How to use race and ethnicity data for local electoral or community analysis
Treat race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity as separate variables when designing outreach or analyzing voter patterns; choose the variable that matches your question, for example race for some demographic comparisons and Hispanic origin for outreach to ethnic communities. ACS 2023 table B03002
For election planning prefer county tables and voting age population breakdowns; always check the margins of error on ACS 1-year estimates and consider using 5-year estimates for smaller geographies. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
Common mistakes and pitfalls when reading race and ethnicity data
A frequent error is conflating Hispanic or Latino origin with race; for example, reporting a state’s ‘White’ share without clarifying whether that count is ‘White alone’ or ‘non Hispanic White’ can mislead readers. Census guidance on race and ethnicity
Another pitfall is overgeneralizing subgroup behavior; while MPI and Pew provide useful subgroup context, subgroup counts do not predict every individual’s views and should be reported with attribution. Pew Research Center profile of Cuban Americans
Practical example: comparing Miami Dade to statewide totals
QuickFacts makes a simple comparison possible: pull QuickFacts for Miami Dade County and for Florida, and compare the rows for race and for Hispanic or Latino to see the county versus state difference. QuickFacts for Miami Dade County
The Miami Dade QuickFacts entries show a much larger Hispanic or Latino share than the statewide table, which illustrates why local context matters for reporting or outreach. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
To replicate the comparison use data.census.gov, select table B03002, then change the geography selector to the county level and note the labelled rows for Hispanic or Latino by race, or view the same table on Census Reporter. ACS 2023 table B03002
How to pull the relevant ACS tables step by step
Go to data.census.gov, enter “B03002” in the search box, and open table B03002 for the American Community Survey 1-year or 5-year data you need. ACS 2023 table B03002
Use the geography selector to switch from state to county or metro area. For small counties prefer the 5-year ACS to reduce sampling variability and always note the margins of error reported with each estimate. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida
Interpreting Hispanic subgroups and the limits of subgroup analysis
Cuban origin is one reported Hispanic subgroup, and MPI and Pew provide context on its history and regional concentration; subgroup counts are useful for descriptive work but limited for predicting individual behavior. Migration Policy Institute profile on Cuban immigrants
When reporting subgroup data, cite the specific table or study and clarify the geographic scope and sample size so readers understand the bounds of the finding. Pew Research Center profile of Cuban Americans
Quick glossary of terms and primary sources to check
White alone, as used in Census products, means respondents who selected White and no other race on the race question; see Census topic guidance for concise definitions. Census guidance on race and ethnicity
Primary datasets to consult include ACS table B03002 for Hispanic or Latino origin by race and the Census QuickFacts pages for rapid state and county snapshots. ACS 2023 table B03002. For community health context see the Office of Minority Health Hispanic/Latino Health.
Closing summary and where to look for updates
In short, the largest racial category in Florida is White alone according to ACS and QuickFacts, while Hispanic or Latino is recorded separately as an ethnicity and represents a substantial share of the state’s population. ACS 2023 table B03002
For updated figures check future ACS releases, QuickFacts updates, or county tables on data.census.gov when new estimates are published. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Florida (or see the about page).
The Census asks a separate question for Hispanic or Latino origin and another for race, so Hispanic or Latino is recorded as an ethnicity and can overlap with any race category.
No, Miami Dade has a much higher share of Hispanic or Latino residents and different subgroup patterns, so it is not representative of the statewide composition.
Use data.census.gov or the Census QuickFacts pages and select table B03002 for county or metro breakdowns, and check margins of error for small areas.
For questions about local demographics, use county tables and attribute subgroup descriptions to the original studies or datasets rather than to general statements.
References
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/FL
- https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT1Y2023.B03002?g=0400000US12
- https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2022.B03002?q=B03002&g=160XX00US1276075
- https://www.census.gov/topics/population/race/about.html
- https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/miamidadecountyflorida
- https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/cuban-immigrants-united-states
- https://www.pewresearch.org/article/2024/05/15/cuban-americans-profile/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/contact/
- https://censusreporter.org/tables/B03002/
- https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/hispaniclatino-health
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/news/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/events/
- https://michaelcarbonara.com/about/
