New Canaan has more diversity, population growth, census finds.

NEW CANAAN — The town’s overall population has increased 4.5 percent since 2010, while doubling the population of residents who identify as non-white, according to the 2020 U.S. Census data released Thursday,

The statistics for the 2020 Census were gathered before the influx of home buyers during COVID-19.

The town has increased its population from 19,738 in 2010 to 20,622, an increase of 884 residents. The non-white population has increased from 1,706 in 2010 to 3,453 in 2020, a 102 percent increase.

The White population in New Canaan decreased from 18,032 in 2010 to 17,169 in 2020, a 4.8 percent decrease. In 2010, residents who identified as White made up 91 percent of the population, while in 2020 that population consituted 83 percent of the ever-growing citizenry.

First Selectman Kevin Moynihan believes that the influx of many residents into New Canaan are affluent homebuyers “purchasing the $2 million homes” and that they are successful financiers on Wall Street, physicians and other high-earning professionals.

Moynihan does not see the change in demographics as a result of affordable housing or multi-family homes. “We just don’t have that much affordable housing,” he said.

The town has gained 2.5 times more multiracial residents, increasing from 229 in 2010 to 831 in 2020, a 263 percent increase.

New Canaan has increased its Asian Pacific Island population as well, from 665 in 2010 to 1,163 in 2020, a 75 percent increase.

In addition, 551 more Hispanic residents were recorded in town last year, bumping up from 570 in 2010 to 1,121 in 2020.

New Canaan’s Black population increased slightly from 194 in 2010 to 244 in 2020.

There were also 16 fewer Native residents and 62 more people who identify as “other. ‘

The number of residents under 18 has decreased from 6,329 in 2010 to 6,048 in 2020, down by 281 children. This trend may be continuing as school enrollment is decreasing from 4,222 in school year 2020-21 to 4,070 this fall.

The enrollment is “down overall in Connecticut,” Moynihan said. He guessed that the influx of people leaving the cities during the pandemic may have not registered in the enrollment figures yet, but he is “seeing a lot of baby strollers and young kids.”

The populations has increased in the number of those over 18, making up 71 percent of the population in contrast to 67.9 in 2010.