NBC12.com-Richmond, VA News, Weather, Traffic & SportsBy the numbers: Meet Hispanic America

Provided by the US Census Bureau

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.

Here, the US Cenus Bureau provides a look at how America is being shaped by Hispanic-Americans, from population and language to popular names and voting trends.

Population

50.5 million

The Hispanic population of the United States as of April 1, 2010, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 16.3 percent of the nation's total population. In addition, there are 3.7 million residents of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.
Source: American FactFinder:

63%

The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1

39%

The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple with children younger than 18 in 2010.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table F1

67%

Percentage of Hispanic children living with two parents.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table C9

44%

Percentage of Hispanic married couples with children under 18 where both spouses were employed in 2010.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: Table FG-1

Spanish Language

35 million

The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2009. Those who hablan español constituted 12 percent of U.S. residents. More than half of these Spanish speakers spoke English "very well."
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey: Table B16001
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

17 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

76%

Percentage of Hispanics 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2009.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey: Table B16006
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$38,039

The median income of Hispanic households in 2009.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

25.3%

The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2009, up from 23.2 percent in 2008.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

32.4%

The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2009, up from 30.7 percent in 2008.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

Education

63%

The percentage of Hispanics 25 and older that had at least a high school education in 2010.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2010 Detailed Tables

14%

The percentage of the Hispanic population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher in 2010.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2010

3.9 million

The number of Hispanics 18 and older who had at least a bachelor's degree in 2010.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2010

1 million

Number of Hispanics 18 and older with advanced degrees in 2010 (e.g., master's, professional, doctorate).
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2010

12%

Percentage of college students (both undergraduate and graduate students) in October 2009 who were Hispanic.
Source: School Enrollment - Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2009

20%

Percentage of elementary and high school students that were Hispanic in 2009.
Source: School Enrollment - Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2009

Foreign-Born

47%

Percent of the foreign-born population that was Hispanic in 2009.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

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

Jobs

68%

Percentage of Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2009.
Source: 2011 Statistical Abstract

19%

The percentage of civilian employed Hispanics or Latinos 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations in 2009.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 American Community Survey: Table B24010I
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011

Voting

9.7 million

The number of Hispanic citizens who reported voting in the 2008 presidential election, about 2 million more than voted in 2004. The percentage of Hispanic citizens voting went from 47 percent in 2004 to 50 percent in 2008.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008

Serving our Country

1.1 million

The number of Hispanics or Latinos 18 and older who are veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey: Table B21001I
Note: Figures will be updated late Sept. 2011