ABERDEEN, S.D.(Aberdeen American News)- The populations of both Aberdeen and Watertown grew during the 2010s, according data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Community-specific information from the 2020 census showed Aberdeen had a population of 28,495, which is up from 26,091 from 2010. That’s a 9.2% increase.

Watertown’s population showed a 5.5% increase, jumping from 21,482 in 2010 to 22,655 last year.

Demographics in both communities shifted.

The census divides race into five categories: white, Black, American Indian/Alaska native, Asian, Hawaii native/other Pacific islanders. According to the new data, the group identifying as white in Aberdeen accounts for a smaller percentage of the population on the whole. With 23,825 people in 2020, it comprises 83.6% of the overall population compared to 91.8% in 2010.

Meanwhile, other ethnic groups have grown.

• The city’s Black population grew from 178 in 2010 to 553, a 210% increase.
• The American Indian/Alaska native population grew 10.6% from 945 to 1,045.
• The number of people identifying as Asian increased from 329 to 896, a 172% increase.
• The Pacific islander/Hawaii native population grew by one from 42 in 2010 to 43.

The number of people who are part of two or more ethnic groups increased from 516 to 1,507. The community also saw growth in the “other” category, which rose from 119 to 626.

Census Bureau data also includes statistics on housing, which is also up. According to 2010 numbers, Aberdeen had 12,158 housing units with 11,418 occupied. The 2020 census shows Aberdeen with 13,397 housing units and 12,226 occupied.

In other Brown County communities:

• Groton decreased in population from 1,458 people in 2010 to 1,380.
• Warner dipped from 580 residents to 473.
• Hecla dropped from 227 to 193.
• Frederick saw an increase from 199 to 215.
• The number of people in Stratford dropped from 72 to 57.