Sunday, September 15th. Today marks the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month — a time to recognize the contributions and cultures of the nation’s fastest-growing population group. The idea started as a special week in 1968 and was expanded to a full month 20 years later.
There are 58.9 million Hispanic people in the United States, 18.1 percent of the total population, forming the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Over half of that population resides in California, Texas or Florida, and nearly two-thirds are of Mexican background.
Nearly 25 percent of all elementary and high school students nationwide are Hispanic, indicative of a growing population that is expected to reach about 111 million by 2060.
Profile America is in its 23rd year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online.
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