Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Wednesday pointed out a sharp ethnic population shift in Macomb, Wayne and Oakland Counties.

A few years ago Warren was rated as one of the whitest cities in America, but now here and in other cities in North America, the complexion is changing.

In the past year Macomb County's Asian population has increased 45 percent, the Hispanic population increased 35 percent and the black population increased 143 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

“There is a lot of movement out of the city of Detroit because of education, opportunities, crime and other kinds of issues, “ said Kurt Metzer, a demographer for the United Way.

The new Census data from Oakland County also show steady increases.

In the past year, the Asian population increased by 33 percent, Hispanic population increased by 24 percent and the black population increased by 20 percent.

Although diversity is increasing, about four of every fifth person in Oakland County is white.

Whites are now the minority in Wayne County. The largest increase in Wayne County in the past year was the Asian population, by 27 percent, then Hispanics with a 21 percent increase and lastly, the black population increased by 6 percent.

From the beginning of 2005 to the end of 2006 the state of Michigan lost over 5,000 people. This was the first time in 20 years Michigan has experienced such a sharp population decrease.