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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% |
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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
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