Latino Population Growth Large, but slowing
Compared to a 59 percent growth in the 1990s, Latino population growth in 2000-2009 in the United States (excluding Puerto Rico) is estimated at around 29 percent so far, according to the Census Bureau’s 2005-9 5-year estimates of the American Community Survey (ACS) that were released yesterday. Between 2000 and 2009, this 29 percent Latino growth rate compares to only 4 percent for non-Latinos in the United States.
In 2009, the five largest Latino groups were Mexicans (29.3 million), Puerto Ricans (4.1 million), Cubans (1.5 million), Salvadorans (1.5 million) and Dominicans (1.2 million). The Latino groups with the highest growth rates in 2000-2009 were: Spaniards (+371 percent), Uruguyans ((180 percent), Hondurans (153 percent), Guatemalans (147 percent) and Salvadorans (124 percent). See the first table below for more details.
The American Community Survey is also conducted in Puerto Rico. It shows that the population in Puerto Rico grew by less than 4 percent between 2000 and 2009, trailing that of the United States, which was 7 percent. In contrast to the United States, population growth for non-Latinos (11 percent) exceeded that for Puerto Ricans and other Latinos (3 percent). After Puerto Ricans, who make up 95 percent of the Island’s population, the largest Latino groups were: Dominicans (69,011), Cubans (19,616), Mexicans (11,143), Colombians (4,712) and Spaniards (3,966). For more details, see the second table below.
The 2005-9 American Community Survey (ACS) is not the same as the 2010 Census and does not include data for 2010; it is an average for the years 2005-2009. As a sample survey, its statistics are presented within varying margins of area depending of the size of the statistics in use. The ACS is designed to provide information on the characteristic of the population, but not population count estimates. Because it is the best data available on the population for the period covered, its’ population totals are generally cited, as we have done here, nonetheless. Definitive population growth rates will have to await the release of the 2010 Census data on race and Hispanic populations in early 2011.
The 2010 Census data will begin to be released on December 21, 2010 with the population for each state for apportionment purposes, and race and Hispanic data will first be released in early 2011 for redistricting purposes. For a schedule of the release of 2010 Census data products, click here.
To access the ACS 2005-9 statistics for more detailed analysis, go to the American FactFinder portal and/or the Download Center on the US Census website. For further information on the ACS, click here.