Research & Reports
The Latino population explosion has dramatically
changed the complexion of the United States and has
had an extraordinary social, economic, cultural and
political impact on American society, and there is
no apparent end in sight. The median age for Hispanics
was 26.7 in 2003, the lowest of all groups, compared
with 35.9 for the overall U.S. population. Currently
(2004), 34.1% of Hispanics are younger than 18 years
of age, compared with 25.1% of the total U.S. population.
By 2042 no ethnic or racial group will comprise a majority of the U.S. population and it is predicted that the U.S. Hispanic population will reach or exceed 100 million when one in four persons will be Hispanic. And, experts predict that by the end of the 21st century the U.S. population will be 40% white, 33% Hispanic, 13% African American, and 13% Asian.
Setting the Record Straight
It is important for Latino leaders to work within
their respective spheres of influence to set the record
straight when it comes to having a proper understanding
of the Latino community, and USHLI gathers the kind
of information necessary for them to be able to do
so.
For instance:
- Myth — Latinos are politically apathetic.
Fact — Latinos are registering to vote at a rate
six times greater than the general population and
turning out to vote at a rate five times greater
than the general population.
- Myth —Beyond providing laborers, Latinos contribute
very little to society.
Fact —Latinos are creating new businesses at a rate
three times faster than the general population,
generating over 200 billion dollars per year in
revenue.
- Myth —Most Latinos are poor.
Fact —Latino purchasing power is now 700 billion
dollars per year and growing at an average rate
of one billion dollars per week, four billion dollars
per month, 50 billion dollars per year.
Latinos Today
Today, Latinos are the largest ethnic/racial minority
population group in America, and are the largest ethnic/racial
minority in 41 of the nation's 100 largest cities.
Accounting for 81% of the population growth in the
nation's 100 largest cities, Latinos are also now
in position to form viable electoral coalitions with
non-Latino voters and help shape the future of the
nation's largest urban centers. Eighty percent of
the Hispanic population is concentrated in 10 states.
Hispanics comprise at least 5% of the population in
30 states. Hispanics are currently holding elected
office in 38 states.
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