Results released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Mountlake Terrace of 2010 has less people, more diversity and more empty homes than the Mountlake Terrace of 2000.

Mountlake Terrace’s population showed a loss of 453 residents as the population decreased from 20,362 in 2000 to 19,909 in 2010.

“We know that the year 2010 reflects higher vacancy rates than usual, given the ‘Great Recession.’” said Mountlake Terrace City Manager John Caulfield.

Of the four census areas in the City, the only one showing an increase in population is the part of the City west of I-5 or, generally, the Lake Ballinger and Melody Hill neighborhoods.

Though the the number of housing units has increased by almost 400, from 8,217 in 2000 to 8,602 in 2010, the number of occupied units has only increased by 230.

The new Census data shows that Washington’s population has increased overall. Populations of Washington’s largest cities have also increased, but some smaller ones—including Lake Forest Park and Brier—have decreased.

Snohomish County’s population grew 17.7 percent from 2000 to 2010.

Of the 20,362 residents in Mountlake Terrace, 77 percent of them, 15,618, are 18 and over. This is up from 75 percent in 2000.

The numbers show that Mountlake Terrace is more diverse than it was in 2000. The number of people who identified themselves as white decreased from 78 percent in 2000 to 72 percent in 2010. The groups with the largest growth were Hispanics with an increase of 83 percent and blacks with an increase of 66 percent. Also increasing, by 82 percent, were those who checked “Some other race” on the census form.

Head over to our news partner the Seattle Times for more Census 2010 coverage.

What changes have you noticed in Mountlake Terrace in the past 10 years?