US Population Growth, Age and Ethnicity

Recent figures released by the US Census Bureau show that the nation's Hispanic and Asian populations continue to grow much faster than the population as a whole, while non-Hispanic whites have the oldest age profile.

The population of Hispanics (who may be of any race - see note below) reached 39.9 million on July 1, 2003, accounting for about one-half of the 9.4 million residents added to the nation's population since Census 2000. Its growth rate over the 39-month period was 13.0%, compared to 3.3% for the total population.

Growth rates for Hispanics and other ethnic groups were as follows. Note that unless specified otherwise, numbers refer to those who reported a single race together with those who reported that race in combination with one or more other races:

Identified ‘self as:	Growth %	Population now (millions)
Hispanic	13.0	39.9
Asian	12.5	13.5
Native Hawaiian / other Pacific islanders	5.8	0.96
Black	4.4	38.7
American Indian or Alaska native	3.3	4.4
White	2.8	237.9
(including… non-Hispanic whites who indicated no other race:	0.9	197.3).

Breakdowns of race and ethnic groups by age were also released. The total numbers in the US at each age group were:

Preschoolers	19.8 million
Elementary school-age (5 to 13)	36.8 million
High school-age (14 to 17)	16.5 million
Working-age adults (18- to 64)	181.8 million
Aged 65 and over	35.9 million
(of which ‘oldest old – aged 85+:	4.7million)

The race or ethnic groups with the highest proportion of their people in each age group are as follows:

Preschoolers	Hispanics	> 10% (4.2 million)
Elementary school-age	Hawaiian / Pacific	18%
High school-age	American Indian / Alaska / Hawaiian / Pacific	almost 8%
Working-age adults (18- to 64)	Asian	66%
Aged 65 and over	non-Hispanic whites reporting one race only	15%
- ‘oldest old – aged 85+	non-Hispanic whites reporting one race only	2%

The median age for the US as a whole continues to rise, from 35.3 years on April 1, 2000, to 35.9 years on July 1, 2003. The median of 39.6 years for non-Hispanic whites reporting only one race was the highest, while that of Hispanics, 26.7 years, was the lowest of all groups except the two-or-more-races population.

Note on definitions: The federal government treats Hispanic origin and race as separate and distinct concepts. In surveys and censuses, separate questions are asked on Hispanic origin and race. The question on Hispanic origin asks respondents if they are Spanish, Hispanic or Latino. Starting with Census 2000, the question on race asks respondents to report the race or races they consider themselves to be. Thus, Hispanics may be of any race.

www.census.gov

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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