Facts about U-S population growth between 2000 and 2003

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Posted 1:59PM on Tuesday, June 15, 2004

(WASHINGTON) - Facts about U-S population growth between 2000 and 2003 outlined in a separate story on this site. HIGHLIGHTS -- Explosive growth among Hispanics and Asians fueled a surge in the U-S population between 2000 and 2003 -- The total U-S population is 290.8 million. -- The expected continued influx of younger Hispanic and Asian immigrants could replenish the U-S labor force as the massive baby boom generation approaches retirement age. -- The latest data appear to show a continued steady flow of immigrants into America in spite of the recession and the effects of the September eleventh terrorist attacks. HISPANICS -- U-S population of Hispanics rose 13 percent between April 2000 and July 2003. -- U-S population of Hispanics is roughly 39.9 million. -- Hispanics make up the nation's largest minority group. -- Population growth of 13 percent among Hispanics far outpaced the three percent increase in the American populace during the same time. -- The population of Hispanics rose in nearly every state over the 1990s, due in large part to immigration. -- Besides immigration, the Hispanic-American population continues to grow because Latinos have a higher birth rate than other groups. -- About 34 percent of the nation's Hispanics are younger than 18, compared to just 22 percent of non-Hispanic whites. -- More Hispanics are becoming eligible to vote. Historically, Hispanics are registered at much lower rates than whites and blacks. -- The median age of Hispanics is 27. -- The Census Bureau counts ``Hispanic'' or ``Latino'' as an ethnicity rather than a race, so Hispanics can be of any race, including white. ASIANS -- The second-fastest-growing among large minority groups. -- The population of Asian-Americans is up 12.6 percent to 11.9 million, -- Working-age adults (18 to 64 year-olds) total 181.8 million. Two-thirds of Asians fall in this age group -- the highest proportion of any race or ethnic group (66 percent). -- The median age of Asians is 34. BLACKS -- The black population rose nearly four percent to 37 million. -- The median age of blacks is 31. WHITES -- Whites remain the single largest group at 197 million, up just one percent between 2000 and 2003. That number refers to those U-S residents who are not of Hispanic ethnicity and who selected only white as their race. -- Over two-thirds of U-S residents are white. -- Census Bureau projections show that whites and minority groups overall will be roughly equal in size by 2050. -- Fifteen percent of whites are 65 or over, a rate three times as high as for Hispanics. -- The median age of whites is nearly 40. DIVERSITY -- About 4.3 million people listed themselves as of more than one race, up 10.5 percent from 2000. -- The median age for multiracial Americans is 20 reflecting the relative newness of the category. The option to select more than one race on a census form was first given in 2000.