II.

Population

Austin’s population increased significantly in recent decades, largely because of the city’s economic diversification, especially into high-technology fields. In 1980 the city had a population of 345,496; by the 2000 census, it had grown to 656,562. According to the 2000 census, whites constituted 65.4 percent of Austin’s population; blacks, 10 percent; Asians, 4.7 percent; Native Americans, 0.6 percent; and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, 0.1 percent. People of mixed racial heritage or not reporting a race were 19.2 percent of inhabitants. Hispanics, who may be of any race, made up 30.5 percent of the population. In 2005, Austin's population was estimated at 690,252.

The Austin metropolitan area includes Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, and Bastrop counties and covers a land area of 10,945 sq km (4,226 sq mi); notable cities included besides Austin are San Marcos and Round Rock. The metropolitan area population grew from 585,000 in 1980 to 1,412,271 in 2004.