EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12:01 A.M. EST, MARCH 8, 2000 (Wednesday)
Public Information Office CB00-38
301-457-3030/301-457-3670 (fax)
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e-mail: pio@census.gov
Roberto Ramirez
301-457-2403
Census Bureau Updates Profile of Nation's Latino Groups
The estimated proportion of the Hispanic population with at least a
bachelor's degree ranges from 25 percent for Cubans to 7 percent for
Mexicans, according to 1999 data released today by the Commerce
Department's Census Bureau.
Overall, about 11 percent of Hispanics age 25 years and older reported
having at least a bachelor's degree, compared with 28 percent of
non-Hispanic Whites.
"The country's Latino population is not as homogeneous as some might
think," said Roberto Ramirez, author of The Hispanic Population
in the United States March -- 1999 (Spanish Version) "In
many respects, people with origins in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico,
Central America and South America, as well as other Hispanic countries,
have wide variations in their social and economic characteristics, from
educational attainment and marriage, to employment and income."
Estimates for 1999 showed that nearly two-thirds (20.6 million) of
Hispanics were of Mexican origin; 14 percent (4.5 million) were of Central
and South American origin; 10 percent (3 million) were of Puerto Rican
origin; 7 percent (2 million) had origins in the Caribbean and other
countries; and 4 percent (1.4 million) were of Cuban origin.
Other findings:
- Among Hispanic groups, people of Mexican origin had the lowest
proportion (50 percent) of people with a high school diploma or more;
others: Puerto Ricans and Central and South Americans (64 percent
each); other Hispanics -- those from the Caribbean and other
countries (71 percent); and Cubans (70 percent). (The percentages
of Puerto Ricans and Central and South Americans with a high school
diploma or more were not significantly different from each
other. In addition, the percentages of Cubans and other Hispanics
with a high school diploma or more were not significantly different
from each other). Overall, 56 percent of Hispanics were high school
graduates compared with 88 percent of non-Hispanic Whites.
- The poverty rate among Hispanic groups ranged from 31 percent for
Puerto Ricans to 14 percent for Cubans. (The percentages of Puerto
Ricans and people of Mexican origin in poverty were not significantly
different from each other). Hispanics were about three times more
likely to be living below the poverty level (26 percent) than
non-Hispanic Whites (8 percent).
- Among children (under 18 years of age), 44 percent of Puerto Ricans
lived below the poverty level in 1998, 35 percent of Mexicans,
32 percent of other Hispanics, 27 percent of Central and South
Americans and 16 percent of Cubans. (The poverty rates for Puerto
Rican children were not significantly different from that of
Mexican and other Hispanic children. In addition, the poverty
rates for Cuban children were not significantly different
from that of Central and South American and other Hispanic children.
Finally, the poverty rates for other Hispanic children were not
significantly different from that of Mexican and Central and South
American children).
- About 34 percent of Hispanic children lived in poverty in
as did 11 percent of non-Hispanic White children.
In addition to 1999 data, tabulations for 1998 were also released
today. The data are from March supplements to the Current Population
Survey. Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling
and nonsampling error.
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