Black (African-American) History Month: February 2010

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.

Population

41.1 million
As of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of black residents in the United States, including those of more than one race. They made up 13.5 percent of the total U.S. population. This figure represents an increase of more than a half-million residents from one year earlier.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

65.7 million
The projected black population of the United States (including those of more than one race) for July 1, 2050. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 15 percent of the nation’s total population.
Source: Population projections www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html

18
Number of states with an estimated black population on July 1, 2008, of at least 1 million. New York, with 3.5 million, led the way. The other 17 states on the list were Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

38%
Percentage of Mississippi’s population that was black in 2008, highest of any state. Blacks also made up more than a quarter of the population in Louisiana in 2008 (32 percent), Georgia (31 percent), Maryland (30 percent), South Carolina (29 percent) and Alabama (27 percent). They comprise 56 percent of the population in the District of Columbia.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

67,000
The increase in Georgia’s black population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, which led all states. Texas (64,000), North Carolina (45,000) and Florida (41,000) also recorded large increases.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

24
Number of states or equivalents in which blacks were the largest minority group in 2008. These included Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. (Note: Minorities are part of a group other than single-race non-Hispanic white.)
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

1.4 million
The number of blacks in Cook County, Ill., as of July 1, 2008, which led the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. Orleans Parish, La., had the largest numerical increase in the black population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008 (16,400).
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

Among counties with total populations of at least 10,000, Claiborne County, Miss., had the largest percent of population that was black (84.4 percent). Claiborne led 77 majority-black counties or equivalents, all of which were in the South.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

30%
The proportion of the black population younger than 18 as of July 1, 2008. At the other end of the spectrum, 8 percent of the black population was 65 and older.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

Note: Unless otherwise noted, the estimates in this section refer to the population that was either single-race black or black in combination with one or more other races.

Serving Our Nation

2.3 million
Number of single-race black military veterans in the United States in 2008. More military veterans are black than any other minority group.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov.

Education

83%
Among blacks 25 and older, the proportion who had at least a high school diploma in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

20%
Percentage of blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

1.4 million
Among blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2008 (e.g., master’s, doctorate, medical or law). In 1998, 857,000 blacks had this level of education.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

2.5 million
Number of black college students in fall 2008. This was roughly double the corresponding number from 15 years earlier.
Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/014354.html

Voting

About 2.1 million
The increase in the number of black voters between the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, to 16.1 million. The total number of voters rose by 5.4 million, to 131.1 million.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html

55%
Turnout rate in the 2008 presidential election for the 18- to 24-year-old citizen black population, an 8 percent increase from 2004. Blacks had the highest turnout rate in this age group.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html

65%
Turnout rate among black citizens in the 2008 presidential election, up about 5 percentage points from 2004. Looking at voter turnout by race and Hispanic origin, non-Hispanic whites and blacks had the highest turnout levels.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.html

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$34,218
The annual median income of single-race black households in 2008, a decline of 2.8 percent (in 2008 constant dollars) from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html

24.7%
Poverty rate in 2008 for single-race blacks, statistically unchanged from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html

19.1%
The percentage of single-race blacks lacking health insurance in 2008, not statistically different from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html

Families and Children

63%
Among households with a single-race black householder, the percentage that contained a family. There were 8.5 million black family households.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

44%
Among families with single-race black householders, the percentage that were married couples.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey  http://factfinder.census.gov

1.2 million
Number of single-race black grandparents who lived with their own grandchildren younger than 18. Of this number, 50 percent were also responsible for their care.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

Homeownership – the American Dream

46%
Nationally, the percentage of households with a householder who was single-race black who lived in owner-occupied homes.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

Jobs

27%
The percentage of single-race blacks 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. Source: 2008 American Community
Survey factfinder.census.gov

Businesses

$88.6 billion
Revenues for black-owned businesses in 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled nearly 1.2 million in 2002. Black-owned firms accounted for 5 percent of all nonfarm businesses in the United States.

129,329
The number of black-owned firms in New York in 2002, which led all states. New York City alone had 98,080 such firms, which led all cities.

10,716
The number of black-owned firms operating in 2002 with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1 percent of the total number of black-owned firms in 2002 and 55 percent of their total receipts, or $49 billion.

969
The number of black-owned firms with 100 or more employees in 2002. Firms of this size accounted for 24 percent of the total revenue for black-owned employer firms in 2002, or $16 billion.
Source: Black-Owned Firms: 2002

www.census.gov/prod/ec02/sb0200csblk.pdf

POLICE MEDIA RELEASE

The U.S. Census Bureau will be mailing or hand delivering census questionnaires to Big Island residents beginning in February.

Through late August, Census Bureau temporary field staff will work in neighborhoods to deliver questionnaires, collect information from those who have not returned their census questionnaire, and verify addresses.

All Census Bureau temporary field staff will carry identification cards issued by the Census Bureau. The public is advised to ask to see an identification card before responding to questions.

MEDIA RELEASE

How r u? The way we communicate is rapidly evolving, as evidenced by the fact that the number of text messages sent on cell phones has more than doubled from 48 billion in December 2007 to 110 billion in December 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010.

The Statistical Abstract, aka “Uncle Sam’s Almanac,” perennially the federal government’s best-selling reference book, has been published since 1878 — before automobiles, airplanes and motion pictures had even been invented. Contained in the 129th edition are more than 1,400 tables of social, political and economic facts which collectively describe the state of our nation and the world. Included are 53 new tables, covering topics such as worldwide space launch events this decade, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, the type of work flexibility provided to employees, employment status of veterans and road fatalities by country.

The statistics come not only from the U.S Census Bureau but also from other governmental agencies and private organizations. The data are generally for the most recent year or period available by summer 2009. Most of the data are national-level, but some tables present state- and even city- and metropolitan-level data as well.

Highlights include:

Don’t read all about it …

–The number of daily newspapers declined from 1,480 in 2000 to 1,408 in 2008. Likewise, the average number of daily newspapers sold dropped from 55.8 million copies in 2000 to 48.6 million in 2008. (Table 1098)

Surfing … at the library

–In 2007, the nation’s 16,604 libraries collectively had an average of 12.5 public-use computers connected to the Internet per library. In Florida libraries there were an average of 24.4 computers and in Maryland libraries there were an average of 19.4 public-use computers connected to the Internet and were well above the U.S. average. At the other extreme, Vermont and Maine libraries each had averages of 4.7 and 4.9 Internet-connected computers per public library. (Tables 1115 and 1116) (See map)

Can you hear me now?

–In 2007, the average consumer spent $1,110 on telephone services. Residential telephone and pay phone services made up 43 percent of total expenditures, with cell phone service comprising 55 percent and phone cards and pager services making up the remaining  2 percent. (Table 1111)

–In 2008, there were more than 270 million cell phone subscribers; they paid an average monthly bill of $50 with the average call lasting 2.5 minutes. (Table 1112)

Going away to college

–In 2006, Rhode Island (25.8 percent), Vermont (28.0 percent), New Hampshire (37.6 percent), Delaware (37.7 percent) and Massachusetts (49.9 percent) had the lowest percentages of college freshmen enrolled in-state. Utah (89.9 percent), Louisiana (89.4 percent), North Carolina (87.8 percent), West Virginia (87.6 percent), and Indiana and Oklahoma (both with 86.9 percent) had the highest percentages. (Table 277) (See map)

Armed and dangerous

–In 2007, 6 percent of all students reported carrying a weapon on school property at least once during the previous month: 10.2 percent of males and 2.6 percent of females.  (Table 242)

–Violent crime per 100,000 population decreased from a rate of 597 in 1980 to 467 in 2007. Property crime per 100,000 population decreased from a rate of 5,353 in 1980 to 3,264 in 2007. (Table 295)

The economic downturn

–In 2008, 8,263 mass layoff events were reported — up from 5,363 in 2007. This situation occurs when an employer has at least 50 unemployment insurance claims lasting at least 31 days filed against them. (Table 620)

–The value of private construction put in place decreased from $850.1 billion in 2007 to $766.6 billion in 2008. (Table 929)

–In 2008, retail sales decreased for the first time in this decade: from a high of  $3,995 trillion in 2007 to $3,960 trillion. (Table 1017)

–Sales of consumer electronics are expected to drop nearly 8 percent in 2009, from a total of $178 billion in 2008 to a projected $165 billion. (Table 999)

You gotta play to win … and you gotta eat

–Despite the economic downturn, we’re gambling and eating out more …

–Lottery sales increased from $52.4 billion in 2007 to $53.4 billion in 2008, with $30.4 billion in sales for instant scratch-off tickets. (Table 438)

–Revenues from food and drinking places rose from $438 billion in 2007 to $453 billion in 2008. (Table 1017)

Flextime

– In 2008, 37 percent of employers allowed all or most employees to periodically change starting and quitting times. Eight percent of employees were permitted to compress the workweek by working longer hours on fewer days, 8 percent to share jobs, 57 percent to return to work gradually after childbirth or adoption and 47 percent to take an extended career break for caregiving and other personal or other family reasons. (Table 593)

Into orbit –Of the 69 worldwide orbital space launches in 2008, 41 were noncommercial and 28 commercial. The U.S. conducted 15 total launches, Russia 26, China 11 and Europe six. (Table 797)

Healthy living

–There were more than 20,000 farms in 2007 engaged in organic production on more than 2.5 million acres. Sales of organically produced commodities totaled $1.7 billion, of which more than $1.1 billion were organic crops and $600 million organic livestock and poultry and poultry products. (Table 807).

–In 2007, the complementary and alternative medicine therapies most commonly used by U.S. adults in the past 12 months were nonvitamin, nonmineral and natural products (17.7 percent), deep breathing exercises (12.7 percent), meditation (9.4 percent), chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation (8.6 percent), massage (8.3 percent) and yoga (6.1 percent). (Table 161)

Deadly roads –In 2007, Russia suffered 235 road fatalities per 1 million inhabitants, more than any other country. Poland was next (147), followed closely by Estonia (146) and Slovenia (145). The U.S., by comparison, experienced 136 road fatalities per 1 million inhabitants.  (Table 1308)

Alternative energy sources

–The average price of crude oil rose from $67.94 per barrel in 2007 to $94.73 in 2008. (Table 714)  With these recent increases, many homeowners have switched from oil to natural gas to heat their homes. The states with the largest natural gas reserves in 2006 were Texas (61.836 billion cubic feet), Wyoming (23.549), New Mexico (17.934), Oklahoma (17.464) and Colorado (17.149). (Table 872)

–With the use of renewable energy on the rise, fuel ethanol consumption has soared from 2 million barrels in 1981 to almost 229 million barrels in 2008.  Biodiesel has experienced the same trend, rising from 243,000 barrels in 2001 to almost 8 million in 2008. (Table 899)

The cost of “juice”

–Residential electric energy prices in 2007 ranged from 20.72 cents per kilowatt-hour in Hawaii to 4.92 cents in Idaho. Alaska and four states in the Northeast also had prices above 16 cents per kilowatt-hour. (Table 916) (See map)

The most (and least) expensive places to live

–Harare, Zimbabwe, has the highest cost of living for private U.S. employees living abroad of any city in the world: 143 percent higher than in Washington, D.C. Geneva, Switzerland, is a close second, with living costs 135 percent higher than in the nation’s capital. On the other end of the spectrum, La Paz, Bolivia, and Tegucigalpa, Honduras, have some of the lowest living costs (16 percent less than D.C.). (Table 1322)

The 2010 Statistical Abstract may be obtained by calling the U.S. Government Printing Office at 202-512-1800 (ISBN No. 003-024-09075-9, $37 for the soft cover edition; and No. 003-024-09074-1, $41 for the hard cover edition bookstore.gpo.gov/).

Copies are also available by calling the National Technical Information Service at 800-363-2068 or 703-605-6060 (PB2009-965301, $39 for the hard cover edition www.ntis.gov/products/statabs.aspx).

A CD-ROM version of the book will be available later.

Every edition of the Statistical Abstract, dating from 1878, is available in PDF or zip files on the Census Bureau’s Web site at www.census.gov/compendia/statab/. C U L8TR!

Women dance at the Fourth Annual Hilo Inter-Tribal PowWow at Wailoa State Park. Photography by Baron Sekiya for Hawaii 24/7

MEDIA RELEASE

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, getting endorsements from 24 state governments, to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994. This Facts for Features presents data for American Indians and Alaska Natives, as this is one of the six major race categories.

Note: Unless otherwise specified, the data in the “Population” section refer to the population who reported a race alone or in combination with one or more other races.

Population

4.9 million
As of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.6 percent of the total population.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

8.6 million
The projected population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race, on July 1, 2050. They would comprise 2 percent of the total population.
Source: Population projections www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html

83,250
Increase in the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008. The population of this group increased by 1.7 percent during the period.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

29.7
Median age of the American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2008, younger than the median of 36.8 for the population as a whole. About 30 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives were younger than 18, and 8 percent were 65 and older.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

738,978
The American Indian and Alaska Native population in California as of July 1, 2008, the highest total of any state. California was followed by Oklahoma (406,492) and Arizona (359,841).

About 12,828 American Indians and Alaska Natives were added to Texas’ population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. That is the largest numeric increase of any state. Texas (4.3 percent) also had the highest rate of increase during the period.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

5
Number of states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest
race or ethnic minority group in 2008. These states are Alaska, Montana,
North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

11
Number of states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on  July 1, 2008. These states were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Alaska. Combined, these states were home to 61 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native residents.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

18%
The proportion of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian and Alaska Native as of July 1, 2008, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma (11 percent) and New Mexico (11 percent).
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

155,010
The number of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as of July 1, 2008. Los Angeles led all of the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category.

Maricopa County, Ariz., added about 2,300 people to this group between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, leading the nation’s counties in this measure.

Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

10
Among counties or equivalents with total populations of 10,000 or more, number that were majority American Indian and Alaska Native, as of July 1, 2008. Shannon, S.D., led the way, with 88 percent of its population being a member of this race group.
Source: Population estimates www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

Families and Children

545,403
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native families in 2008. Of these:

·     321,430 were married-couple families, including those with children.
·     145,691 were married couples with their own children, under the age of 18.

Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

3.64
Average number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family in 2008. This was larger than the national average size for all families, regardless of race (3.22 people).
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

Housing

55%
The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who owned
their own home in 2008.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

$129,000
Median value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

Languages

29%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

Education

76%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who had at least a high school diploma. Also, 13 percent had at least a bachelor’s degree.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

57,146
Number of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who had a graduate or professional degree.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population factfinder.census.gov

Businesses

$26.9 billion
Receipts for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in 2002. These businesses numbered 201,387.

20,380
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside combined statistical area, making that area number one in the metro category. Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms (13,061).

38,125
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in California, which led the states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York and Florida followed.

Nearly 3 in 10
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that operated in construction and other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).

24,498
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that had paid employees. These businesses employed 191,270 people.

3,631
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for nearly 2 percent of the total number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64 percent of their total receipts.

178
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with 100 or more employees. These firms generated nearly $5.3 billion in gross receipts — 24 percent of the total revenue for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned employer firms.

New York; Los Angeles; and Gallup, N.M.
The three cities with the largest number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms, with 7,134; 5,767; and 2,642, respectively.

Source for data in this section: American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms: 2002 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/007013.html
(Note: Preliminary estimates for 2007 will be published in July 2010 with final numbers scheduled for release in March 2011.)

Jobs

24%
The percentage of civilian-employed American Indian and Alaska Native people 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. In addition, 24 percent worked in sales and office occupations and about the same percentage worked in service occupations.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. factfinder.census.gov

Caregivers

56%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 30 and older who lived with grandchildren and were responsible for their care. The corresponding rate for the population as a whole was 41 percent.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. factfinder.census.gov

Veterans

160,471
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. factfinder.census.gov

Income and Poverty

$37,815
The median income of households from the 2008 American Community Survey where the householder reported being American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. factfinder.census.gov

24.2%
The 2008 poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population. factfinder.census.gov

Health Insurance

31.7%
The percentage of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race who lacked health insurance coverage, based on a three-year average (2006-2008).
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008, www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014227.html

MEDIA RELEASE

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 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). 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

46.9 million
The estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2008, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 15 percent of the nation’s total population. In addition, there are approximately 4 million residents of Puerto Rico.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

and

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013049.html

More than 1
. . . of every two people added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, was Hispanic. There were 1.5 million Hispanics added to the population during the period.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

3.2%
Percentage increase in the Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, making Hispanics the fastest-growing minority group.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.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

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html

22.4 million
The nation’’s Hispanic population during the 1990 Census — less than half the current total.
Source: The Hispanic Population: 2000

www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-3.pdf

2nd
Ranking of the size of the U.S. Hispanic population worldwide, as of 2008. Only Mexico (110 million) had a larger Hispanic population than the United States (46.9 million).
Source: International Data Base
www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbsum.html and population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

64%
The percentage of Hispanic-origin people in the United States who were of Mexican background in 2007. Another 9 percent were of Puerto Rican background, with 3.5 percent Cuban, 3.1 percent Salvadoran and 2.7 percent Dominican. The remainder were of some other Central American, South American or other Hispanic or Latino origin.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

About 45 percent of the nation’s Dominicans lived in New York City in 2007 and about half of the nation’s Cubans in Miami-Dade County, Fla.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

25%
Percentage of children younger than 5 who were Hispanic in 2008. All in all, Hispanics comprised 22 percent of children younger than 18.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

27.7 years
Median age of the Hispanic population in 2008. This compared with 36.8 years for the population as a whole.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

107
Number of Hispanic males in 2008 per every 100 Hispanic females. This was in sharp contrast to the overall population, which had 97 males per every 100 females.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html

States and Counties

48%
The percentage of the Hispanic-origin population that lived in California or Texas in 2008. California was home to 13.5 million Hispanics, and Texas was home to 8.9 million.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

16
The number of states with at least a half-million Hispanic residents — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

45%
The percentage of New Mexico’s population that was Hispanic in 2008, the highest of any state. Hispanics also made up at least one fifth of the population in California and Texas, at 37 percent each, Arizona (30 percent), Nevada (26 percent), Florida (21 percent) and Colorado (20 percent). New Mexico had 891,000 Hispanics.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

The Carolinas
The states with the highest percentage increases in Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. South Carolina’s increase was 7.7 percent and North Carolina’s was 7.4 percent.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

4.7 million
The Hispanic population of Los Angeles County, Calif., in 2008 — the largest of any county in the nation. Los Angeles County also had the biggest numerical increase in the Hispanic population (67,000) since July 2007.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

97%
Proportion of the population of Starr County, Texas, that was Hispanic as of 2008, which led the nation. All of the top 10 counties in this category were in Texas.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

48
Number of the nation’s 3,142 counties that are majority-Hispanic.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

15%
Percent increase in the Hispanic population in Luzerne County, Pa., from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008. Among all counties with 2007 Hispanic populations of at least 10,000, Luzerne topped the nation in this category. Luzerne’s county seat is Wilkes-Barre.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

313,000
The increase in California’s Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, which led all states. Texas (305,000) and Florida (111,000) also recorded large increases.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

20
Number of states in which Hispanics are the largest minority group. These states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Source: Population estimates

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html

Businesses

Source for statements in this section: Hispanic-owned Firms: 2002

www.census.gov/csd/sbo/hispanic2002.htm

1.6 million
The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002.

–  Nearly 43 percent of Hispanic-owned firms operated in construction; administrative and support, and waste management and remediation services; and other services, such as personal services, and repair and maintenance. Retail and wholesale trade accounted for nearly 36 percent of Hispanic-owned business revenue.

–  Counties with the highest number of Hispanic-owned firms were Los Angeles County (188,422); Miami-Dade County (163,187); and Harris County, Texas (61,934).

Triple
The rate of growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 (31 percent) compared with the national average
(10 percent) for all businesses.

$222 billion
Revenue generated by Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997.

44.6%
. . . of all Hispanic-owned firms were owned by people of Mexican origin (Mexican, Mexican-American or Chicano).

29,168
Number of Hispanic-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more.

Families and Children

10.4 million
The number of Hispanic family households in the United States in 2008. Of these households, 62 percent included children younger than 18.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

66%
The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

43%
The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple with children younger than 18.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

70%
Percentage of Hispanic children living with two parents.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

Spanish Language

35 million
The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2007. Those who hablan español constituted 12 percent of U.S. residents. More than half of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

4
Number of states where at least one-in-five residents spoke Spanish at home in 2007 — Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/012634.html

78%
Percentage of Hispanics 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2007.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$38,679
The median income of Hispanic households in 2007, statistically unchanged from the previous year after adjusting for inflation.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

21.5%
The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2007, up from 20.6 percent in 2006.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

32.1%
The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2007, down from 34.1 percent in 2006.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

Education

53%
The percentage of Hispanic 4-year-olds enrolled in nursery school in 2007, up from 43 percent in 1997 and 21 percent in 1987.
Source: School Enrollment — Social and Economic Characteristics of
Students: October 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html

62%
The percentage of Hispanics 25 and older who had at least a high school education in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

13%
The percentage of the Hispanic population 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

3.6 million
The number of Hispanics 18 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2008.
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

1 million
Number of Hispanics 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2008 (e.g., master’s, professional, doctorate).
Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html

12%
Percentage of full-time college students (both undergraduate and graduate students) in October 2007 who were Hispanic, up from 10 percent in 2006.
Source: School Enrollment — Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html

20%
Percentage of elementary and high school students combined who were Hispanic.
Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html

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

www.census.gov/genealogy/www/freqnames2k.html

Jobs

67%
Percentage of Hispanics 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2007.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

18%
The percentage of Hispanics 16 or older who worked in management, professional and related occupations in 2007. The same percentage worked in production, transportation and material moving occupations. Another 16 percent worked in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations. Approximately 24 percent of Hispanics 16 or older worked in service occupations; 21 percent in sales and office occupations; and 2 percent in farming, fishing and forestry occupations.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

79,400
Number of Hispanic chief executives. In addition, 50,866 physicians and surgeons; 48,720 postsecondary teachers; 38,532 lawyers; and 2,726 news analysts, reporters and correspondents are Hispanic.
Source: Upcoming
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603

www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Voting

5.6 million
The number of Hispanic citizens who reported voting in the 2006 congressional elections. The percentage of Hispanic citizens voting — about 32 percent — did not change statistically from four years earlier.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2006

www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/012234.html

Serving our Country

1.1 million
The number of Hispanic veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey

www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Grandparents Day 2009: Sept. 13

Grandparents Day was the brainchild of Marian McQuade of Fayette County, W.Va., who hoped that such an observance might persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents. President Jimmy Carter signed the first presidential proclamation in 1978 — and one has been issued each year since — designating the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The first official observance was Sept. 9, 1979. In honor of our nation’s grandparents, the Census Bureau presents an array of data about these unsung role models and caregivers.

6.2 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren younger than 18 lived with them in 2007.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Grandparents as Caregivers

2.5 million
The number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren who lived with them in 2007. These grandparents represented about 40 percent of all grandparents whose grandchildren lived with them. Of these caregivers, 1.6 million were grandmothers, and 932,000 were grandfathers.

1.8 million
The number of grandparent-caregivers who were married in 2007.

1.5 million
The number of grandparents who were in the labor force and also responsible for most of the basic needs of their grandchildren.

930,000
Number of grandparents in 2007 responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the past five years.

482,000
Number of grandparents whose income was below the poverty level and who were caring for their grandchildren.

732,000
Number of grandparents with a disability who were caring for their grandchildren.

586,000
Number of grandparents who spoke a language other than English and who were responsible for caring for their grandchildren.

$44,469
Median income for families with grandparent-caregiver householders. If a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median dropped to $33,453.

71%
Among grandparents who cared for their grandchildren in 2007, the percentage who lived in an owner-occupied home.

Source for statements in this section: 2007 American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Grandchildren

6.6 million
The number of children living with a grandparent in 2008; these children comprised 9 percent of all children in the United States. The majority of these children, 4.4 million, lived in the grandparent’s home.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2008
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

2.6 million
The number of children who lived with both a grandmother and a grandfather in 2008.
Source: Families and Living Arrangements: 2008
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html

30%
Among children younger than 5 whose mothers worked outside the home, the percentage cared for on a regular basis by a grandparent during their mother’s working hours in 2005. Grandparents and fathers were the two biggest sources of child care by relatives when mothers went to work.
Source: Who’s Minding the Kids? Child Care Arrangements: Spring 2005
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/011574.html

Labor Day 2009: Sept. 7

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?
155.1 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2009.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Employee Benefits
83%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

77%
Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as
one of their employment benefits.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 634 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Our Jobs

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation Number of employees
Teachers 7.2 million
Chief executives 1.7 million
Janitors and building cleaners 2.1 million
Computer software engineers 1.0 million
Aerospace engineers 137,000
Electricians 874,000
Registered nurses 2.8 million
Social workers 729,000
Clergy 441,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists 773,000
Chefs and head cooks 351,000
Customer service representatives 1.9 million
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 373,000
Firefighters 293,000
Roofers 234,000
Pharmacists 243,000
Machinists 409,000
Musicians, singers and related workers 186,000
Artists and related workers 213,000
Gaming services workers (gambling) 111,000
Tax preparers 105,000
Service station attendants 87,000
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers 751,000
Welding, soldering and brazing workers 598,000
Farmers and ranchers 751,000

Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

7.7 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 589 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

288,000
When do they sleep? Number of moonlighters who work full time at two jobs.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 589 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.4 million
Number of self-employed workers.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 585 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

22.5 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in educational services, and health care and social assistance industries. Among male workers 16 and older, 11.3 million were employed in manufacturing industries.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

28%
Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 582 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

4
Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 9 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 591 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.3 million
Number of independent contractors.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 588 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

15.7 million
Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Alaska, Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state. North Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 3 percent.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 644 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

-10.8%

Percentage decline in employment in Elkhart County, Ind., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage decline among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Maricopa, Ariz., posted the largest numerical job loss over the period: 67,100.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

3.2%
Percentage increase in employment in Yakima County, Wash., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage increase among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Harris, Texas, posted the largest numerical job gain over the period: 26,500.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

5.7 million
The number of people who work at home.
Source: 2007 American Community Surveyhttp://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Another Day, Another Dollar

$45,113 and $35,102
The 2007 annual median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html

$1,552
Average weekly wage in New York County (Manhattan), N.Y., for the third quarter of 2008, the highest among the nation’s 334 largest counties. Rutherford, Tenn., led the nation in growth of average weekly wages the third quarters of 2007 to 2008, with an increase of 17 percent ($124).
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

Hot Jobs

53%
Projected percentage growth from 2006 to 2016 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (587,000). Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 598 http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Early, Lonely and Long — the Commute to Work

17 million

Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. These early birds represent 13 percent of all commuters.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

76%
Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 10 percent carpool, and 5 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

31.5 minutes
The average time it takes to commute to work for residents of New York state. New York residents had the most time-consuming commute in the nation, followed by that of Maryland residents with 31.1 minutes. The national average was 25.3 minutes.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

3.4 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day. Source: 2007 American Community Survey
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

52%
Percentage of workers 16 and older living in Virginia who worked and lived in different counties, the highest rate in the nation.
Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

The Fourth of July 2009

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
<http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab.html>

307 million
The nation’s population on this July Fourth.
Source: Population clock <http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>

Fourth of July Cookouts

More than 1 in 4
The chance that the hot dogs and pork sausages consumed on the Fourth of July originated in Iowa. The Hawkeye State was home to 19.3 million hogs and pigs on March 1, 2009. This represents more than one-fourth of the nation’s total. North Carolina (9.4 million) and Minnesota (7.3 million) were the runners-up.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

6.8 billion pounds
Total production of cattle and calves in Texas in 2007. Chances are good that the beef hot dogs, steaks and burgers on your backyard grill came from the Lone Star State, which accounted for about one-sixth of the nation’s total production. And if the beef did not come from Texas, it very well may have come from Nebraska (4.7 billion pounds) or Kansas (4.1 billion pounds).
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

6
Number of states in which the revenue from broiler chickens was $1 billion or greater between December 2006 and November 2007. There is a good chance that one of these states — Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi or Texas — is the source of your barbecued chicken.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

About 4 in 10
The odds that your side dish of baked beans originated from North Dakota, which produced 39 percent of the nation’s dry, edible beans in 2008. Another popular Fourth of July side dish is corn on the cob. Florida, California, Georgia and New York together accounted for 61 percent of the sweet corn produced nationally in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

Please Pass the Potato Salad
Potato salad and potato chips are popular food items at Fourth of July barbecues. Half of the nation’s spuds were produced in Idaho or Washington state in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

More than three-fourths
Amount of the nation’s head lettuce production in 2008 that came from California. This lettuce may end up in your salad or on your burger.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

More than 7 in 10
The chances that the fresh tomatoes in your salad came from California or Florida, which combined accounted for 71 percent of U.S. tomato production last year. The ketchup on your burger or hot dog probably came from California, which accounted for 96 percent of forecasted processed tomato production in 2008.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

Florida
The state that led the nation in watermelon production last year (861 million pounds). Other leading producers of this popular fruit included California, Texas and Georgia, each with more than 500 million pounds.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service <http://www.nass.usda.gov>

78 million
Number of Americans who said they have taken part in a barbecue during the previous year. It’s probably safe to assume a lot of these events took place on Independence Day.
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009, Table 1200 <http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab2006_2009.html>

Fireworks

$193 million
The value of fireworks imported from China in 2008, representing the bulk of all U.S. fireworks imported ($202 million). U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $28.1 million in 2008, with Australia purchasing more than any other country ($5.8 million).
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$17.3 billion
The value of U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks in 2002.
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i325998t.pdf>

Flags

$3.4 million
In 2008, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount ($3.0 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$569,400
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2008. Belgium was the leading customer, purchasing $186,400 worth.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

$349.2 million
Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0231i314999t.pdf>

Patriotic-Sounding Names

31
Number of places nationwide with “liberty” in their name. The most populous one as of July 1, 2007, is Liberty, Mo. (29,993). Iowa, with four, has more of these places than any other state: Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty.

• Thirty-one places have “eagle” in their name — after the majestic bird that serves as our national symbol. (Places include cities, towns, villages and census-designated places.) The most populous such place is Eagle Pass, Texas, with 26,285 residents.
• Eleven places have “independence” in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Mo., with 110,704 residents.
• Five places adopted the name “freedom.” Freedom, Calif., with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
• There is one place named “patriot” — Patriot, Ind., with a population of 190.
• And what could be more fitting than spending the Fourth of July in a place called “America”? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, population 26,472.

Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012242.html> and
American FactFinder <www.census.gov>

The British are Coming!

$112.4 billion
Dollar value of trade last year between the United States and the United Kingdom, making the British, our adversary in 1776, our sixth-leading trading partner today.
Sources: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/highlights/top/top0812yr.html>

Father’s Day: June 21, 2009

The idea of Father’s Day was conceived exactly a century ago, by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration — June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of Smart’s birth. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

64.3 million
Estimated number of fathers across the nation.
Source: Unpublished data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation

Thinking of You, Dad

9,003
The number of men’s clothing stores around the country (as of 2006), a good place to buy dad a tie or shirt. 
Source: County Business Patterns 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

14,012
The number of hardware stores (as of 2006), a place to buy hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers and other items high on the list of Father’s Day gifts. Additionally, there were 6,749 home centers across the country in 2006. 
Source: County Business Patterns 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

23,270
Number of sporting goods stores in 2006. These stores are good places to purchase traditional gifts for dad, such as fishing rods and golf clubs. 
Source: County Business Patterns 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

78 million
The number of Americans who participated in a barbecue in the last year — it’s probably safe to assume many of these barbecues took place on Father’s Day. 
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>, Table 1200

Mr. Mom

140,000
Estimated number of stay-at-home dads in 2008. These married fathers with children younger than 15 have remained out of the labor force for at least one year primarily so they can care for the family while their wives work outside the home. These fathers cared for 234,000 children. Among these stay-at-home dads, 54 percent had two or more children, and 52 percent had an annual family income of $50,000 or more. 
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html>

25%
Among the nation’s 11.3 million preschoolers whose mothers are employed, the percentage who are regularly cared for by their father during their mother’s working hours. This amounted to 2.9 million children. 
Source: Who’s Minding the Kids? Child Care Arrangements: Spring 2005 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/011574.html>

How Many Fathers?

25.8 million
Number of fathers who were part of married-couple families with children younger than 18 in 2008.

• 22 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18 (among married-couple family households only).
• 2 percent lived in someone else’s home.

Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html>1.8 million
Number of single fathers in 2008. Currently, among single parents living with their children, 16 percent are men.

• 8 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18.
• About 51 percent were divorced, 25 percent were never married, 19 percent were separated and 5 percent were widowed.
• 43 percent had an annual family income of $50,000 or more.

Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html>85%
Among the 30.2 million fathers living with children younger than 18, the percentage who lived with their biological children only. In addition, 11 percent lived with stepchildren, 4 percent with adopted children and fewer than 1 percent with foster children. 
Source: Living Arrangements of Children: 2004 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/011507.html>

Child-Support Payments

31%
Percentage of custodial fathers who were due child support. They numbered 678,000. 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

$2.4 billion
Amount of child support received by custodial fathers in 2005; they were due $3.3 billion. In contrast, custodial mothers received $22.4 billion of the $34.7 billion in support that was due. 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

43%
Percentage of custodial fathers who received all child support that was due, not significantly different from the corresponding percentage for custodial mothers. These fathers received an average of $6,210 in child support in 2005, compared with $5,981 for mothers who received full support. (These figures are not statistically different from each other.) 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

36%
Percentage of custodial fathers with child-support agreements or awards. 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

72%
Percentage of custodial fathers receiving noncash support, such as gifts or coverage of expenses, on behalf of their children. The corresponding proportion for mothers was 59 percent. 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

Time with Daddy

53% and 71%
Percentages of children younger than 6 who ate breakfast and dinner, respectively, with their father every day in 2006. The corresponding percentages who ate with their mother were 58 percent and 80 percent. (The percentages of children who ate breakfast with their mother or father, respectively, were not significantly different from each another.) 
Source: A Child’s Day: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

36%
Percentage of children younger than 6 who had 15 or more outings with their father in the last month, as of 2006. 
Source: A Child’s Day: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

6
Average times children ages 3 to 5 were read to by their fathers in the past week, as of 2006. 
Source: A Child’s Day: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

66%
Percentage of children younger than 6 who were praised three or more times a day by their fathers. 
Source: A Child’s Day: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

Mother’s Day: May 10, 2009

The driving force behind Mother’s Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia exactly 101 years ago: May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She finally succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

How Many Mothers

82.8 million
Estimated number of mothers in the United States in 2004.
Source: Survey of Income and Program Participation unpublished tabulations

55%
Percentage of 15- to 44-year-olds who were mothers in 2006. 
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012510.html>

80%
Percentage of women 40 to 44 who were mothers in 2006. In 1976, 90 percent of women in that age group were mothers. 
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012510.html>

How Many Children

2.1
The total fertility rate (TFR) or number of births per woman in the U.S. in 2006 (based on current birth rates by age). This is the first time since 1971 that the nation’s TFR was above replacement, which is the birth rate required for a given generation to replace itself. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

2.6
The TFR or number of births in 2006 per woman in Utah (based on current birth rates by age), which led the nation. At the other end of the spectrum were Vermont, the District of Columbia and Rhode Island, with TFRs of 1.7 births per women. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

94%
Among the 37.8 million mothers living with children younger than 18 in 2004, the percentage who lived with their biological children only. In addition, 3 percent lived with stepchildren, 2 percent with adopted children and less than 1 percent with foster children. 
Source: Living Arrangements of Children: 2004 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/011507.html>

Moms Who’ve Recently Given Birth

4.3 million
Number of births registered in the United States in 2006. Of this number, 435,436 were to teens 15 to 19, 112,513 to mothers 40 or older and 494 to those 50 or older. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

25.0
Average age of women in 2006 when they gave birth for the first time, down from 25.2 years in 2005. This marks the first decline since this measure became available in 1968. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

40%
Percentage of births that were the mother’s first in 2006. Another 32 percent were the second-born; 17 percent, third; and 11 percent, fourth or more. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

18,674
Number of births in 2006 that were the mother’s eighth or more. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

38,568
Number of births in 2006 that did not occur in hospitals. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

32.1
Number of twin births per 1,000 total births in 2006. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

153.3
Number of triplet and higher order multiple births per 100,000 total births in 2006. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

August
The month with the highest number of births, with 387,798 taking place that month in 2006. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

Wednesday
The most common day of the week to deliver, with an average of 13,482 births taking place on Wednesdays during 2006. This is the first time since at least 1990 that a day other than Tuesday had this distinction. 
Source: National Center for Health Statistics <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/births.htm>

Jacob and Emily
The most popular baby names for boys and girls, respectively, in 2007. 
Source: Social Security Administration <http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames/>

67
Number of births in the past year per 1,000 women 15 to 50 with a graduate or professional degree. These women have a higher fertility rate than those with any other level of education. 
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012510.html>

Mothers Remembered

20,227
Number of florist establishments nationwide in 2006. The 98,373 employees in floral shops across our nation will be especially busy preparing, selling and delivering floral arrangements for Mother’s Day. 
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

The flowers bought for mom have a good chance of having been grown in California. Among the 15 surveyed states, California was the leading provider of cut flowers in 2007, accounting for 77 percent of domestic flower production ($320 million out of $416 million) in those states.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 
<http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1072>

12,765
Number of employees of the 132 greeting-card publishing establishments in 2006. 
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

13,591
The number of cosmetics, beauty supplies and perfume stores nationwide in 2006. Perfume is one of the most popular gifts given on Mother’s Day. 
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

28,300
Number of jewelry stores in the United States in 2006 — the place to purchase necklaces, earrings and other timeless pieces for mom. 
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>

Working Moms (and Moms-to-Be)

5.3 million
Number of stay-at-home moms in 2008. 
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html>

57%
Among mothers 15 to 50 with infants in 2006, the percentage in the labor force. A cluster of states in the Midwest and also Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia and Connecticut had rates higher than the national average. 
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012510.html>

757,616
Number of child care centers across the country in 2006. These include 73,755 centers employing 831,361 workers and another 683,861 self-employed people or other businesses without paid employees. Many mothers turn to these centers to help juggle motherhood and careers.
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html> and Nonemployer Statistics <http://www.census.gov/epcd/nonemployer/index.html>

67%
Percentage of women who gave birth for the first time between 2001 and 2003 and worked during their pregnancy. This compares with 44 percent who gave birth for the first time between 1961 and 1965. 
Source: Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns: 1961-2003 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/employment_occupations/011536.html>

80%
The percentage of first-time mothers who worked one month or less before giving birth in the early part of this decade. This compares with 35 percent who did so between 1961 and 1965. 
Source: Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns: 1961-2003 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/employment_occupations/011536.html>

55%
The percentage of first-time mothers in the early part of this decade who were working by the sixth month after they gave birth. In the early 1960s, the corresponding percentage was 14 percent. 
Source: Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns: 1961-2003 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/employment_occupations/011536.html>

83%
The percentage of mothers who went back to work within a year of their child’s birth who returned to the same employer. Seven in 10 of these women returned to jobs at the same pay, skill level and hours worked per week. 
Source: Maternity Leave and Employment Patterns: 1961-2003 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/employment_occupations/011536.html>

Single Moms

9.8 million
The number of single mothers living with children younger than 18, up from 3.4 million in 1970. 
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html>

6.1 million
Number of custodial mothers entitled to child support in 2005. 
Source: Custodial Mothers and Fathers and their Child Support: 2005 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/010634.html>

36%
Percentage of women 15 to 50 with a birth in the past year who were not currently married. 
Source: Fertility of American Women: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012510.html>

Meals with Mommy

58% and 80%
Percentages of children younger than 6 who ate breakfast and dinner, respectively, with their mother every day in 2006. The corresponding percentages who ate with their father were 53 percent and 71 percent. (The percentages of children who ate breakfast with their mother or father, respectively, were not significantly different from one another.) 
Source: A Child’s Day: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/children/013383.html>

Older Americans Month: May 2009

A meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter’s proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition.

37.9 million
The number of people 65 and older in the United States on July 1, 2007. This age group accounted for 13 percent of the total population. Between 2006 and 2007, this age group increased by 635,000 people. 
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/011910.html>

88.5 million
Projected population of people 65 and older in 2050. People in this age group would comprise 20 percent of the total population at that time. 
Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html>

518 million
Projected 2009 midyear world population 65 and older. Projections indicate the number will increase to 1.6 billion by 2050. 
Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb>

Income and Wealth

$28,305
Median 2007 income of households with householders 65 and older, statistically unchanged, in real terms, from the previous year. 
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html>

9.7%
Poverty rate for people 65 and older in 2007, statistically unchanged from 2006. There were 3.6 million seniors in poverty in 2007, up from 3.4 million in 2006. Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html>

$190,100
Median net worth for families in 2004 whose head was between 65 and 74. 
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/> (Table 699)

Serving Our Nation

9 million
Estimated number of people 65 and older who were military veterans in 2007. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

Jobs

5.8 million
Number of people 65 and older who were in the labor force in 2007. Projections indicate that by 2016, the number will reach 10.1 million. 
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/> (Table 568)

15%
Percentage of people 65 and older in the labor force in 2007. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

Education

74%
Proportion of people 65 and older in 2007 with at least a high school diploma. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

19%
Percentage of the population 65 and older in 2007 who had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

7.3 million
Number of people 66 and older taking adult education courses in 2004-05, comprising about 8 percent of these students. 
Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009 <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/> (Table 294)

Marital Status and Living Arrangements

54%
Percentage of people 65 and older who were married in 2007. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

31%
Percentage of people 65 and older in 2007 who were widowed. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

65%
Percentage of people 65 and older in 2007 who lived with relatives. Another 27 percent lived alone, while 5 percent lived in group quarters and 2 percent in a household with nonrelatives. In addition, 6 percent lived in their children’s home. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

1.5 million
Number of people 65 and older who lived in nursing facilities in 2007. These residents comprised 4 percent of all people in this age group. 
Source: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov/>

Voting

78%
Percentage of citizens 65 and older registered to vote in the 2006 congressional election. Sixty-three percent of citizens in this age group reported actually casting a ballot. 
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2006 
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/012234.html>

Homeownership

80%
Percentage of householders 65 and older in 2007 who owned their homes. This compares with 42 percent for householders at the other end of the age spectrum — younger than 35.
Source: Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey <http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/hvs.html>

Population Distribution

Nation

73
The number of men 65 and older on July 1, 2007, for every 100 women in this age group. For those 85 and older, it drops to 48 men per 100 women.
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/011910.html>

5.5 million
The number of people 85 and older in the United States on July 1, 2007.
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/011910.html>

96,548
Estimated number of centenarians in the United States on Nov. 1, 2008.
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/2007-nat-res.html>

601,000
Projected number of centenarians in the United States in 2050. 
Source: Population projections <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html>

States and Counties

4 million
Number of people 65 and older living in California on July 1, 2007, the highest total of any state. Florida, with 3.1 million, was the runner-up. 
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/011910.html>

17%
Percentage of Florida’s population 65 and older in 2007, which led the nation. States with the next-highest percentages of older people included West Virginia (15.5 percent) and Pennsylvania (15.2 percent). 
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/011910.html>

32%
Percentage of the population of La Paz County, Ariz., that was 65 and older on July 1, 2007, which led the nation. There were 24 counties with at least one-quarter of their population 65 and older. Nine of those counties were in Florida, with four in Texas and three in Michigan. 
Source: Population estimates <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012463.html>

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the legendary Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, in which a Mexican force of 4,500 men faced 6,000 well-trained French soldiers. The battle lasted four hours and ended in a victory for the Mexican army under Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. Along with Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16, Cinco de Mayo has become a time to celebrate Mexican heritage and culture.

29.2 million
Number of U.S. residents of Mexican origin in 2007. These residents constituted 10 percent of the nation’s total population and 64 percent of the Hispanic population

18.25 million
Number of people of Mexican origin who lived either in California (10.97 million) or Texas (7.28 million). People of Mexican origin made up more than one-quarter of the residents of these two states.

25.8
Median age of people in the United States of Mexican descent. This compares with 36.7 years for the population as a whole.

609,000
Number of Mexican-Americans who are U.S. military veterans.

1.3 million
Number of people of Mexican descent 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher. This includes about 362,000 who have a graduate degree.

37%
Among households where a householder was of Mexican origin, the percentage of married-couple families with own children younger than 18. For all households, the corresponding percentage was 21 percent.

4.1
Average size for families with a householder of Mexican origin. This compares to 3.2 people in all families.

14%
Percentage of employed civilians 16 and older of Mexican heritage who worked in managerial, professional or related occupations. In addition, 24 percent worked in service occupations; 20 percent in sales and office occupations; 18 percent in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations; and 19 percent in production, transportation and material moving occupations.

$39,742
Median household income in 2007 for households with a householder of Mexican origin.

22%
Poverty rate in 2007 for people of Mexican heritage.

68%
Percentage of civilians 16 and older of Mexican origin in the labor force. The percentage was 65 percent for the population as a whole. There were 13 million people of Mexican heritage in the labor force, comprising 9 percent of the total.

51%
Percentage of householders of Mexican origin who owned the home in which they lived.

Source for the preceding statements: 2007 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Trade With Mexico

$367.5 billion
The value of goods traded between the United States and Mexico in 2008. Mexico was our nation’s third-leading trading partner, after Canada and China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/>

Businesses

701,078
Number of firms owned by people of Mexican origin in 2002. They accounted for more than 44 percent of all Hispanic-owned firms. Among these Mexican-owned firms, 275,896 were in California and 235,735 in Texas. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif., combined statistical area had 174,292.

$96.7 billion
Sales and receipts for firms owned by people of Mexican origin in 2002.

116,290
Number of firms owned by people of Mexican origin in the construction sector in 2002, which led all sectors.

Source for statements in this section: Hispanic-Owned Firms: 2002 <http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/sb0200cshisp.pdf>

Mexican Food

$100.4 million
Product shipment value of tamales and other Mexican food specialties (not frozen or canned) produced in the United States in 2002. 
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/INDRPT31.HTM>

$48.9 million
Product shipment value of frozen enchiladas produced in the United States in 2002. Frozen tortilla shipments were valued even higher, at $156 million. 
Source: 2002 Economic Census <http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/INDRPT31.HTM>

347
Number of U.S. tortilla manufacturing establishments in 2006. The establishments that produce this unleavened flat bread employed about 14,500 people. Tortillas, the principal food of the Aztecs, are known as the “bread of Mexico.” About one in three of these establishments was in Texas. 
Source: County Business Patterns: 2006 <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/012181.html>