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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