CB12-FF.19 

 Aug. 6, 2012 

Hispanic Heritage Month 2012: 

Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
 

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National 

Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and 

Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 by Congress to a monthlong celebration 

(Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), effective the following year. America celebrates 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 was chosen as 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 

52.0 million 

The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2011, making people of Hispanic 

origin the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 16.7 percent of the 

nation’s total population. In addition, there are 3.7 million residents of Puerto Rico, a U.S. 

territory. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2011/index.html> 

1.3 million 

Number of Hispanics added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011. 

This number is more than half of the approximately 2.3 million added to the nation’s population 

during this period. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

National Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic origin
 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2011/index.html> 

2.5% 

Percentage increase in the Hispanic population between 2010 and 2011. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 
 

 

 

 

 

National Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic origin 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2011/index.html> 

132.8 million 

The projected Hispanic population of the United States on July 1, 2050. According to this 

projection, Hispanics will constitute 30 percent of the nation’s population by that date. 

Source: Population Projections 

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/population/cb08-123.html> 

50.5 million 

The number of Hispanics counted during the 2010 Census. This was about a 43 percent increase 

from the Hispanic population in the 2000 Census, which was 35.3 million. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

2nd 

Ranking of the size of the U.S. Hispanic population worldwide, as of 2010. Only Mexico 

(112 million) had a larger Hispanic population than the United States (50.5 million). 

Source: International Data Base 

<http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbsum.html> 

63% 

The percentage of Hispanic-origin people in the United States who were of Mexican background 

in 2010. Another 9.2 percent were of Puerto Rican background, 3.5 percent Cuban, 

3.3 percent Salvadoran and 2.8 percent Dominican. The remainder was of some other 

Central American, South American or other Hispanic/Latino origin. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

States and Counties 

Florida 

The state with the highest median age, 34, within the Hispanic population. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

State Characteristics: Median Age by Race and Hispanic Origin 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2011/index.html> 

14.4 million 

The estimated population for those of Hispanic-origin in California as of July 1, 2011. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

State Characteristics: Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin
 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2011/index.html> 
8 

The number of states that have a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents — Arizona, 

California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2011/index.html> 

More than 50% 

The percent of all the Hispanic population that live in California, Florida, and Texas as of July 1, 

2011. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2011/index.html> 

46.7% 

The percentage of New Mexico’s population that was Hispanic as of July 1, 2011, the highest of 

any state. 

Source: 2011 Population Estimates 

State Characteristics: Population by Race and Hispanic Origin 

<http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/asrh/2011/index.html> 

147.9% 

The percentage increase in the Hispanic population in South Carolina between April 1, 2000, and 

April 1, 2010, the highest of any state. Alabama had the second highest increase, with 144.8 

percent. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

4.7 million 

The Hispanic population of Los Angeles County, Calif., in 2010. This is the highest of any 

county. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

97% 

Proportion of the population of East Los Angeles, Calif., that was Hispanic as of 2010. This is 

the highest proportion for any place outside the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with 100,000 or 

more total population. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

82 

Number of the nation’s 3,143 counties that were majority-Hispanic. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 
 

25 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

1 in 4 

The amount of counties in which Hispanics doubled their population since 2000. 

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2010 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf> 

Number of states in which Hispanics were the largest minority group. These states were Arizona, 

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, 

Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, 

Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. 

Source: American FactFinder: United States DP-1 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov> 

Businesses 

Source for statements in this section: Statistics for All U.S. Firms by Industry, Gender, Ethnicity, 

and Race for the U.S., States, Metro Areas, Counties, and Places: 2007, Table SB0700CSA01 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=SBO_2007_ 

00CSA01&prodType=table> 

2.3 million 

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in 2007, up 43.6 percent from 2002. 

$350.7 billion 

Receipts generated by Hispanic-owned businesses in 2007, up 58.0 percent from 2002. 

23.7% 

The percentage of businesses in New Mexico in 2007 that were Hispanic-owned, which led all 

states. Florida (22.4 percent) and Texas (20.7 percent) were runners-up. 

Families and Children 

10.7 million 

The number of Hispanic family households in the United States in 2011. 

Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2011.html> 

63.1% 

The percentage of Hispanic family households that are married couple households in 2011. 

Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2011.html> 
61.1% 

The percentage of Hispanic married couple households that have children younger than 18 

present in 2011. 

Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2011.html> 

66.9% 

Percentage of Hispanic children living with two parents in 2011. 

Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table C9 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2011.html> 

43.6% 

Percentage of Hispanic married couples with children under 18 where both spouses were 

employed in 2011. 

Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table FG-1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/families/data/cps2011.html> 

Spanish Language 

37.0 million 

The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2010. Those who 

hablan español constituted 12.8 percent of U.S. residents 5 and older. More than half of these 

Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.” 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey: Table B16001 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_B16001&prodType=table> 

17.3 million 

The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 1990. 

Source: Language Use in the United States: 2007 

<http://www.census.gov/prod/2010pubs/acs-12.pdf> 

75.1% 

Percentage of Hispanics 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2010. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey: Table B16006 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y
 

R_B16006&prodType=table> 

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance 

$37,759 

The median income of Hispanic households in 2010. 

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, Table A 

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb11-157.html> 
 

 

 

26.6% 

The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2010, up from 25.3 percent in 2009. 

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, Table B 

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb11-157.html> 

30.7% 

The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2010, which is down from 31.6 

percent in 2009. 

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010, Table C 

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb11-157.html> 

Education 

62.2% 

The percentage of Hispanics 25 and older that had at least a high school education in 2010. 

Source: American Community Survey: 2010 Table B15002I 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_B15002I&prodType=table> 

13.0% 

The percentage of the Hispanic population 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or 

higher in 2010. 

Source: American Community Survey: 2010 Table B15002I 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_B15002I&prodType=table> 

3.6 million 

The number of Hispanics 25 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2010. 

Source: American Community Survey: 2010 Table B15002I 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y
 

R_B15002I&prodType=table> 

1.1 million 

Number of Hispanics 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2010 (e.g., master’s, professional, 

doctorate). 

Source: American Community Survey: 2010 Table B15002I 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y
 

R_B15002I&prodType=table> 

6.2% 

Percentage of students (both undergraduate and graduate students) enrolled in college in 2010 

who were Hispanic. 
Source: School Enrollment Data Current Population Survey: October 2010, Table 1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2010/tables.html> 

23.2% 

Percentage of elementary and high school students that were Hispanic in 2010. 

Source: School Enrollment Data Current Population Survey: October 2010, Table 1 

<http://www.census.gov/hhes/school/data/cps/2010/tables.html> 

Foreign-Born 

47.1% 

Percent of the foreign-born population that was Hispanic in 2010. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey, Table: S0501 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_S0501&prodType=table> 

Names 

4 

The number of Hispanic surnames ranked among the 15 most common in 2000. It was the first 

time that a Hispanic surname reached the top 15 during a census. Garcia was the most frequent 

Hispanic surname, occurring 858,289 times and placing eighth on the list — up from 18th in 

1990. Rodriguez (ninth), Martinez (11th) and Hernandez (15th) were the next most common 

Hispanic surnames. 

Source: Census 2000 Genealogy 

<http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/freqnames2k.html> 

Jobs 

67.8% 

Percentage of Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2010. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey, Table: S0201 (Hispanic) 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_S0201&prodType=table> 

19.0% 

The percentage of civilian employed Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who worked in 

management, business, science, and arts occupations in 2010. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey, Table: S0201 (Hispanic) 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y
 

R_S0201&prodType=table> 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voting 

7% 

The percentage of Hispanic voters in the 2010 congressional election. This is the highest 

percentage of Hispanics for a nonpresidential election. Hispanics comprised 6 percent of voters 

in 2006. 

Source: News Release: Census Bureau Reports Hispanic Voter Turnout Reaches Record High 

for Congressional Election 

<http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/voting/cb11-164.html> 

Serving our Country 

1.2 million 

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

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey: Table B21001I 

<http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_10_1Y 

R_B21001I&prodType=table> 

 Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features 

series: 

African-American History Month (February) Labor Day 

Super Bowl Grandparents Day 

Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) 

Women’s History Month (March) Unmarried and Single Americans Week 

Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/ Halloween (Oct. 31)

 St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month 

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) (November) 

Older Americans Month (May) Veterans Day (Nov. 11) 

Cinco de Mayo (May 5) Thanksgiving Day 

Mother’s Day The Holiday Season (December) 

Father’s Day 

The Fourth of July (July 4) 

Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26) 

Back to School (August) 

Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling 

variability and other sources of error. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public 

Information Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: <pio@census.gov>.