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Saturday, April 8, 2023

Demographic and language use profile of US Hispanics

The Hispanic population in the United States is the second largest cultural group in the country, after non-Hispanic whites. According to the 2020 Census, there are 62.1 million Hispanics living in the United States, representing 18.9% of the total population. The Hispanic population is growing rapidly, and is expected to surpass the non-Hispanic white population by 2045.

The Hispanic population is also very diverse, with people from a variety of countries and cultures. The largest Hispanic groups in the United States are Mexican (61.6%), Puerto Rican (9.6%), Cuban (3.9%), Dominican (3.8%), and Salvadoran (2.9%). Hispanics also speak a variety of languages, with Spanish being the most common.

The Hispanic population is concentrated in certain parts of the United States, particularly in the Southwest and West. The states with the largest Hispanic populations are California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. Hispanics are also a growing population in the South and Midwest.

The Hispanic population is younger than the non-Hispanic white population, with a median age of 29 years old compared to 38 years old. Hispanics are also more likely to be of working age, with a labor force participation rate of 66% compared to 62% for non-Hispanic whites.

The Hispanic population is also more likely to be of low income, with a poverty rate of 21% compared to 12% for non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics are also more likely to lack health insurance, with 22% of Hispanics uninsured compared to 8% of non-Hispanic whites.

The Hispanic population is a rapidly growing and diverse group in the United States. Hispanics are younger, more likely to be of working age, and more likely to be of low income than non-Hispanic whites. The Hispanic population is also very diverse, with people from a variety of countries and cultures. As the Hispanic population continues to grow, it will have a significant impact on the United States.

According to a 2020 survey by the Pew Research Center, US Hispanics are divided into the following language ability groups:

  • English Only: 50%
  • Spanish Only: 20%
  • Both English and Spanish: 30%

The percentage of Hispanics who speak English only has been increasing over time, from 31% in 2000 to 50% in 2020. This is due to a number of factors, including the increasing number of US-born Hispanics, the high rate of English acquisition among Hispanic immigrants, and the widespread availability of English-language education and resources.

The percentage of Hispanics who speak Spanish only has been decreasing over time, from 44% in 2000 to 20% in 2020. This is due to the same factors that are driving the increase in English-only speakers, as well as the fact that many Hispanics are choosing to learn both English and Spanish in order to be bilingual.

The percentage of Hispanics who speak both English and Spanish has remained relatively stable over time, at around 30%. This is likely due to the fact that many Hispanics who speak Spanish also speak English, and vice versa.

It is important to note that these language ability groups are not mutually exclusive. It is possible for a Hispanic person to speak English only, Spanish only, or both English and Spanish. The language ability group that a Hispanic person belongs to is determined by their primary language of use.

The distribution of language ability groups among US Hispanics is significant for a number of reasons. First, it has implications for the education and economic opportunities of Hispanics. Hispanics who speak English only are more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than Hispanics who speak Spanish only. Second, the distribution of language ability groups has implications for the cultural and linguistic landscape of the United States. As the number of English-only speakers among Hispanics increases, the influence of Spanish on American culture and society is likely to decline.

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