Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Census: American Indian populations are on the rise

Populations of American Indians and Alaska Natives are growing, both in numbers and in percentage of the total U.S. population. Once comprising less than one-half of 1 percent of the total population, the two groups are expected to reach 2 percent by 2050, according to 2010 Census data. The two populations increased by 1.1 million people or 26.7 percent since 2000, the data shows, as compared to a 9.7-percent growth in the overall population. The nation's population of American Indians and Alaska Natives is 5.2 million, or about 1.7 percent of the total population. By 2050, the projected population is expected to be about 8.6 million, including those who are more than one race. Businesses owned by this group grew in number more than 237,000, generating $34.5 billion in annual revenue. The largest number of firms owned by American Indians and Alaska natives — nearly 46,000 — is in California, and the top cities are New York, Los Angeles and Gallup. Nearly a third of these businesses are involved in construction, repair, maintenance and personal services, according to Census data. Census data also reveals the following trends regarding American Indians and Alaska Natives:

# 28 percent of people age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home.

# 73 percent of residents of the Navajo Nation age 5 and older speak a language other than English at home.

# 77 percent of people have at least a high school diploma or GED; 41 percent of people have a bachelor's degree.

# The median age of American Indians or Alaska Natives who are no other race is 29 years.

# Median household income is $35,000.

# 28.4 percent of individuals are living in poverty. The general population is at 15.3 percent.

# 29 percent of individuals lack health insurance, as compared to 15.5 percent of the general population.

# More than 156,000 American Indians or Alaska Natives are veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

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