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American Indian and Alaska
Native Heritage Month
(Nov. 2009)
The
first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox
James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, getting
endorsements from 24 state governments, to have a day to honor American
Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution
designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar
proclamations have been issued every year since 1994. This Facts for Features
presents data for American Indians and Alaska Natives, as this is one of the
six major race categories.
Note:
Unless otherwise specified, the data in the “Population” section refer to the
population who reported a race alone or in combination with one or more other
races.
Population
4.9
million
As
of July 1, 2008, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska
Natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.6 percent of the
total population.
Source:
Population estimates
8.6
million
The
projected population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of
more than one race, on July 1, 2050. They would comprise 2 percent of the total
population.
Source:
Population projections
83,250
Increase
in the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2007,
to July 1, 2008. The population of this group increased by 1.7 percent during
the period.
Source:
Population estimates
29.7
Median
age of the American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2008, younger than
the median of 36.8 for the population as a whole. About 30 percent of American
Indians and Alaska Natives were younger than 18, and 8 percent were 65 and
older.
Source:
Population estimates
738,978
The
American Indian and Alaska Native population in California as of July 1, 2008,
the highest total of any state. California was followed by Oklahoma (406,492)
and Arizona (359,841).
About
12,828 American Indians and Alaska Natives were added to Texas’ population
between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. That is the largest numeric increase of
any state. Texas
(4.3
percent) also had the highest rate of increase during the period.
Source:
Population estimates
5
Number
of states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest race or
ethnic minority group in 2008. These states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota,
Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Source:
Population estimates
11
Number
of states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on
July 1, 2008. These states were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico,
New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Alaska. Combined,
these states were home to 61 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska
Native residents.
Source:
Population estimates
18%
The
proportion of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian and Alaska
Native as of
July
1, 2008, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed
by Oklahoma (11 percent) and New Mexico (11 percent).
Source:
Population estimates
155,010
The
number of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as
of
July
1, 2008. Los Angeles led all of the nation’s counties in the number of people
of this racial category.
Maricopa
County, Ariz., added about 2,300 people to this group between July 1, 2007, and
July 1, 2008, leading the nation’s counties in this measure.
Source:
Population estimates
10
Among
counties or equivalents with total populations of 10,000 or more, number that
were majority American Indian and Alaska Native, as of July 1, 2008. Shannon,
S.D., led the way, with 88 percent of its population being a member of this
race group.
Source:
Population estimates
Families and Children
545,403
The
number of American Indian and Alaska Native families in 2008. Of these:
321,430 were married-couple families, including those with children.
145,691 were married couples with their own children, under the age of
18.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
3.64
Average
number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family in 2008. This
was larger than the national average size for all families, regardless of race
(3.22 people).
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
Housing
55%
The
percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who owned their own
home in 2008.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
$129,000
Median
value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
Languages
29%
Percentage
of American Indians and Alaska Natives 5 and older who spoke a language other
than English at home.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
Education
76%
The
percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who had at least
a high school diploma. Also, 13 percent had at least a bachelor’s degree.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
57,146
Number
of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who had a graduate or
professional degree.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population
Businesses
$26.9
billion
Receipts
for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in 2002. These
businesses numbered 201,387.
20,380
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long
Beach-Riverside combined statistical area, making that area number one in the
metro category. Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms
(13,061).
38,125
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in California, which led the
states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York and Florida followed.
Nearly
3 in 10
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that operated in construction
and other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).
24,498
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that had paid employees.
These businesses employed 191,270 people.
3,631
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with receipts of $1 million
or more. These firms accounted for nearly 2 percent of the total number of
American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64 percent of
their total receipts.
178
Number
of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with 100 or more employees.
These firms generated nearly $5.3 billion in gross receipts — 24 percent of the
total revenue for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned employer firms.
New
York; Los Angeles; and Gallup, N.M.
The
three cities with the largest number of American Indian- and Alaska
Native-owned firms, with 7,134; 5,767; and 2,642, respectively.
Source
for data in this section: American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms:
2002
(Note: Preliminary estimates for 2007 will be published in July 2010 with final
numbers scheduled for release in March 2011.)
Jobs
24%
The
percentage of civilian-employed American Indian and Alaska Native people 16 and
older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. In
addition, 24 percent worked in sales and office occupations and about the same
percentage worked in service occupations.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Caregivers
56%
Percentage
of American Indians and Alaska Natives 30 and older who lived with
grandchildren and were responsible for their care. The corresponding rate for
the population as a whole was 41 percent.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Veterans
160,471
The
number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Income and Poverty
$37,815
The
median income of households from the 2008 American Community Survey where the
householder reported being American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
24.2%
The
2008 poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska
Native and no other race.
Source:
2008 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Health Insurance
31.7%
The
percentage of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native
and no other race who lacked health insurance coverage, based on a three-year
average (2006-2008).
Source:
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008,
SOURCE:
U.S. Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series
Editor’s
note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be
subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Facts for Features
are customarily released about two months before an observance in order to
accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions or comments should be
directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information Office: telephone:
301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762;
or
e-mail: .
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