Hispanics in New York State

According to the 2000 Census, there are over 35 million Hispanic in the United States. The political and economic strength of this diverse community has grown tremendously over the last 10 years. It is now estimated that the purchasing power of the Hispanic community is well over $450 billion annually. And throughout the nation, at all levels of government, corporate and civic affairs, Hispanics are making their mark. Whether running for public office, heading small to large corporations and actively involved in grass roots issues, Hispanics are a tremendous social force that are shaping the future of America.

In New York State the statistics show a micro version of national trends:

• 18,976,457 people live in the state of New York.
  
  
• The largest population of residents of New York State is between the age of 35 to 44 years old making up 3,074,298-16.2% of the population. People between the age of 25 to 34 make up 2,757,324-14.5% of the population in New York State. People over the age of 65 make up 2,448,352-12.8% of the population.
  
  
• Of the 18,976,457 in the State of New York, close to 3,747,968 are foreign born; about 2,008,390 are not citizens and 1,739,578 are naturalized citizens.
  
  
• The largest foreign born population comes from Latin America with 1,818,773 coming from the region.
  
  
• Of the 18,976,457 people, 2,267,583 are Hispanic making up 15% of the total population.
  
  
• Puerto Ricans make up the largest percentage of Hispanics in New York State, 1,050,293-5.5%
  
  
• 260,889 Mexicans comprise the second largest Hispanic group in New York State making up 1.4% of the total population.
  
  
• 1,974,551 Hispanics are over the age of 18.

Overall, the Hispanic population has significantly increased since 1990. Although the number of Puerto Ricans has decreased from 6% to 5.5%, they continue to be the largest group of Hispanics in New York State. The fastest growing sub-group is Mexicans increasing from 0.5% in 1990 to 1.4% in 2000.

In New York City, Hispanics make up 1 of every 3 city dwellers. Puerto Ricans are the largest group representing 36.5%. Dominicans make up 18.8%, Mexicans 8.6%, Ecuadoran's 4.7% and Colombians 3.6%.

Under the 2000 Census, Hispanics were asked to classify themselves along racial lines. Therefore, 167,608 Hispanics identified themselves as black and another 168,810 classified themselves as multiracial. Based on complicated set of personal questions on ethnic origin, it is totally possible that Hispanics make up more than 3 million of New York's 18.9 million residents.

Hispanics are now the largest minority group in New York City and comprise the majority of ethnic students in K-12 grade in all of the Big Five School Districts in New York State (New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Yonkers).