Hispanic Population Passes 40 Million

As of July 1, 2006, the estimated Hispanic population of the United States was 44.3 million (15% of the total U.S. population)1 with a purchasing power of $863 billion2. The median age of the Hispanic population is 27.4 years of age, compared to 36.4 for the population as a whole1.

Quick Facts

• 32.2 million of the nation’s Hispanic population prefers to speak Spanish at home1.
• Hispanics in the U. S. have a purchasing power of $863 billion2
• About 1 of every 2 people added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006 was Hispanic. There were 1.4 million Hispanics added to the population over the period1.
• 66.8% of the U. S. Hispanic population is of Mexican descent3

Hispanics Are the Fastest-Growing Minority

With a 3.4% increase in population between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006, Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group in the nation.1 During this 12-month period, Hispanics accounted for half (1.4 million, or 50%) of the national population growth of 2.9 million4.