Community colleges in the United States traditionally have been made up of women and minority students. Miami Dade is the largest community college in the U.S., with six campuses across Florida. With total enrollment of 54,169 students, 61.5 percent are female, 20 percent are African American and 64 percent are Hispanic students. Miami Dade "awards more associate's degrees to Hispanics and African Americans than any other U.S. community college," according to the Education-Portal website.
Across the U.S., minority students account for 30 percent of community college enrollments. Latino students represent one of the fastest-growing community college populations. Women constitute 58 percent of enrolled community college students.
Due to an increased number of adults seeking community college education, community colleges are growing to meet the needs of an older student population. Many adults are coming in as the result of career shifts, layoffs and downsizing. Recent years have seen 46 percent of students older than age 25. Thirty-two percent are 30 years or older, with the average age of students being 29.
Income is also a factor in community college demographics. Students of higher economic standing made up 24 percent of the community college population in 1982; however, this number decreased by 16 percent by 2006. Recent years have seen 29 percent of community college students with a household income of less than $20,000. Eighty-five percent balance school and work, with 54 percent working a full-time job and balancing a full-time class schedule. The changing economy and unemployment rate have caused an increasing number of working professionals to go back to school.
An increasingly older population and trying economic times are changing traditional community college demographics. Before the economy shifted, there was a concern that community colleges were too heavily made up of poor, working-class and minority students. In 1994, 73 percent of the community college was white. However, that number decreased to 58 percent by 2006. "Some of this change reflects growing diversity in the population as a whole, but some of it reflects white flight," according to "The Chronicle of Higher Education." However, as unemployment increases and the cost of four-year institutions rises, community colleges are seeing demographics shift again, with more adult learners and middle-class students.