New U.S. Census Bureau data shows for the first time, people of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry make up the majority of Dearborn’s population, 54.5%.

“I think it’s probably closer to 70%, just based on the fact if you look at the population of Dearborn Public Schools,” said Center for Arab Narratives Director Matthew Jaber Stiffler.

According to the data, people of Lebanese descent make up the majority of the Middle Eastern population, followed by people of Yemeni ancestry.

The 2020 census was the first one to specifically solicit Middle Eastern or North African ancestry responses.

“It is very important because, for many decades, our community was just lumped in under the white racial category,” Stiffler said. {snip}

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