In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week to recognize the rich culture and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. Just two decades later, lawmakers expanded the observance to a monthlong celebration, stretching from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

The timing is key. Hispanic Heritage Month – like its shorter precursor – always starts on Sept. 15, a historically significant day that marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

The following facts are available thanks to the public’s invaluable cooperation and participation in U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the information shared by each respondent as we continuously count and measure America’s people, places and economy.

10

The number of states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2018 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Texas.

34,395

The increase from 2017 to 2018 in the number of Hispanics in Maricopa, Arizona, the biggest jump in this population during this period.

29.5 years of age

The median age of the Hispanic (any race) population, an increase of 0.3 years since 2017.

See a detailed profile on the Hispanic population from the 2017 American Community Survey. Statistics include:

• Families
• Housing
• Languages
• Education
• Jobs
• Income and Poverty 
• Health Insurance
• Selected Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population by Region of Birth: Latin America

• FFF: Hispanic Heritage Month 2018
• FFF: Hispanic Heritage Month 2017
• FFF: Hispanic Heritage Month 2016
  

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