Hispanic Heritage Month 2017

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. In 1989, Congress expanded the observance to a month long celebration (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 is the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Population

57.5 million The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2016, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 17.8 percent of the nation’s total population. 1,131,766 The number of Hispanics added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016. This number is more than half of the approximately 2.2 million people added to the nation’s total population during this period. 2.0 percent The percentage increase in the Hispanic population between 2015 and 2016. 119 million The projected Hispanic population of the United States in 2060. According to this projection, the Hispanic population will constitute 28.6 percent of the nation’s population by that date. 63.4 percent The percentage of those of Hispanic or Latino origin in the United States who were of Mexican origin in 2015. Another 9.5 percent were Puerto Rican, 3.8 percent Salvadoran, 3.7 percent Cuban, 3.3 percent Dominican and 2.4 percent Guatemalan. The remainder were of some other Central American, South American, or other Hispanic or Latino origin.

States and Counties

10.9 million The estimated population for those of Hispanic origin in Texas as of July 1, 2016. 9 The number of states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2016 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Texas. 54.4 Percent The percentage of the Hispanic population in the United States that lived in California, Florida and Texas as of July 1, 2016. 15.3 million The Hispanic population of California. This was the largest Hispanic population of any state in 2016. 4.9 million The Hispanic population of Los Angeles County. This was the largest Hispanic population of any county in 2016. 39,600 Harris County in Texas had the largest numeric increase of Hispanics from 2015 to 2016.

Families and Children

16.7 million The number of Hispanic households in the United States in 2016. 48.0 percent The percentage of Hispanic households that were marriedcouple households in 2016. Among all households in the United States, 47.9 percent were marriedcouple households. 57.5 percent The percentage of Hispanic marriedcouple households that had children younger than age 18 present in 2016, whereas for all married-couple households it was 39.5 percent. 67.2 percent The percentage of Hispanic children that lived with two parents in 2016, whereas for all children it was 68.7 percent.

Spanish Language

40 million The number of U.S. residents age 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2015. This is a 130.9 percent increase since 1990 when it was 17.3 million. Those who hablan español en casa constituted 13.3 percent of U.S. residents age 5 and older. More than half (59 percent of all Spanish speakers and 57.4 percent of Hispanic Spanish speakers) spoke English “very well.” 72.9 percent The percentage of Hispanics age 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2015.

Education

66.0 percent The percentage of Hispanics age 25 and older that had at least a high school education in 2015. 14.8 percent The percentage of the Hispanic population age 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2015. 17.0 percent The percentage of students (both undergraduate and graduate) enrolled in college in 2015 who were Hispanic. 4.7 million The number of Hispanics age 25 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2015. 1.5 million The number of Hispanics age 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2015 (e.g., master’s, professional, doctorate). 24.3 percent The percentage of elementary and high school students that were Hispanic in 2015.

Foreign Born

34.5 percent The percentage of the Hispanic population that was foreign born in 2015.

64.3 percent The percentage of the 10.3 million noncitizens under the age of 35 who were born in Latin America and the Caribbean and were living in the United States in 2010-2012.

Jobs

67.0 percent The percentage of Hispanics or Latinos age 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2015. 20.5 percent The percentage of civilian employed Hispanics or Latinos age 16 and older who worked in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2015.

Voting

9.2 percent The percentage of voters in the 2016 presidential election who were Hispanic. Hispanics comprised 4.7 percent of voters in 1996. 7.3 percent The percentage of voters in the 2014 congressional election who were Hispanic.

Serving our Country

1.2 million The number of Hispanics or Latinos age 18 and older who are veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$45,150 The median income of Hispanic households in 2015. 21.4 percent The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2015. 16.2 percent The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2015.

Business

312,738 The estimated number of Hispanicowned employer firms nationally in 2015, up from 298,563 or 4.7 percent from 2014. $61.2 billion The estimated sales/ receipts reported by Hispanic employer firms owned by women in 2015. Male-owned Hispanic employer firms reported sales of $264.2 billion.