NCLR
Washington
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF LA RAZA www.nclr.org
State Fact Sheet
As the data below show, Hispanics✝ are quickly becoming a population with a national presence. The most dramatic Latino population growth has occurred in "nontraditional" states, and Hispanics are now the largest minority in the country. Given that almost half of Hispanics are under 25 years old, they will constitute a large segment of the future U.S. population, workforce, and electorate.
Washington Compared to the Nation ▼ ▼
▼
Washington Hispanic Population, by Age: 2003
Washington is the state with the tenth-largest Latino population.1 Between 1990 and 2000, the growth rate of the Latino population in Washington ranked 20th in the country.1 th
Of all states, Washington has the 17 -largest share of Latinos when compared to the total state population.1
U.S. Washington
Growth Rate (1990-2000)1
Total
Hispanic
282,909,885
39,194,837
13.9%
13.2%
57.9%
36.0 years
26.7 years
5,990,020
478,824
8.0%
21.1%
105.8%
36.2 years
24.6 years
Total
Hispanic
Total
Hispanic
Total (2003) Hispanic (2003)
Population Below Poverty Level Percent of Population Below Poverty Population Under 18 (Children)2 Children Below Poverty Level Percent of Children Below Poverty 2
20-29 yrs. 20.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 American Community Survey
Washington Hispanic Population, by Ethnic Subgroup: 2003
Latinos make a significant contribution to the labor force, representing an increasing share of workers and taxpayers, yet they are overwhelmingly vulnerable to economic downturns and experience high poverty rates, especially among working families with children.
In Labor Force3 Participation Rate* Unemployed Unemployment Rate
5-19 yrs. 29.3%
Median Age (2003)2
Economic Well-Being ▼
Under 5 yrs. 11.8%
45-64 yrs. 11.7%
30-44 yrs. 24.7%
Hispanic Percent of Population2
Population (2003)2
Over 65 yrs. 2.6%
Hispanic Proportion of Total
3,140,000 66.9% 237,000 7.5%
214,000 75.0% 17,000 7.8%
6.8% -7.2% --
653,589 11.0% 1,462,569 203,274 13.9%
114,061 24.0% 178,105 55,649 31.2%
17.5% -12.2% 27.4% --
* The Labor Force Participation Rate is calculated using the civilian, noninstitutionalized population, not the total population.
Median Household Income (2003):2 Hispanic Median Household Income (2003):2
$46,868 $34,230
Dominican 0.5% Other Hispanic Cuban 0.6% 10.7% Puerto Rican 4.4% Central and South American 6.8% Mexican 77.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2003 American Community Survey
Washington Hispanic Population, by Citizenship Status: 2000
Foreign-born, not yet citizens 29.9%
Native-born citizens 61.5%
Foreign-born, naturalized citizens 8.6% ✝ The terms "Hispanic" and "Latino" are used interchangeably by the U.S. Census Bureau and throughout this document to identify persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central and South American, Dominican, and Spanish descent; they may be of any race.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000