Hispanics – growing numbers

A new national survey shows that the Hispanic population in the U.S. rose 47 percent from 2000 to 2011 and that the rate of growth in Florida was even higher – 62 percent. The Pew Research Hispanic Center in Washington, a respected demographic research institute, found that the Hispanic population in the U.S. during those 11 years swelled from 35.2 million to 51.9 million. The total U.S. population as of 2011 was 311.6 million, meaning that 16.7 percent of people living in the U.S. were Hispanic, compared to 12.5 percent in 2000.

And that percentage is expected to increase. Of all births in the U.S. in 2011, 23.1 percent were to Hispanic women. … By far the largest Hispanic community in the U.S. is persons of Mexican descent, with 33.5 million, or 64.5 percent of all Hispanics. … Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens from birth, number 4.9 million; Salvadorans, 1.95 million; Cubans, 1.88 million. Guatemalans … number 1.22 million nationwide. … Hispanics have the lowest median age of any population group, 27, compared to 33 for African-Americans; 36 for Asians; and 42 for whites.

Florida is home to the third-highest total of Hispanics: 4.35 million, or 22.8 percent of total state population. It is far behind California, which includes 14.4 million Hispanics, and Texas with 9.8 million. Both those states are 38.1 percent Hispanic. … The break down by country of origin is very different for Florida than it is for the nation as a whole. Among Florida Hispanics, 35 percent are of Cuban descent; 26 percent Mexican; and 23 percent Puerto Rican. ….

The median income of a Hispanic household in 2011 was $39,000. That compared to $67,000 for Asian households; $54,400 for whites; and $32,600 for African-Americans. Some 13 million Hispanics live in poverty, 25.9 percent of the total Hispanic population and 22 percent receive food stamps. Only African-Americans have higher rates in those categories, with 27.9 percent living in poverty and 28 percent receiving food stamps.

But Hispanics have by far the highest percentage of persons without health insurance, 30 percent. That compares to 10.8 percent for whites; 15.4 percent for Asians; and 18.6 percent for blacks.

– From an article written by John Lantigua for the Palm Beach Post