To commemorate today’s grand opening of the National Museum of
the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Census Bureau presents
a variety of facts on the nation’s American Indian and Alaska
native population.
4.3 million
The number of people estimated to be American Indian and Alaska native
or American Indian and Alaska native in combination with one or more
other races, as of July 1, 2002. They made up 1.5 percent of the total
population. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-100.html>
103,000
The number of people estimated to be American Indian and Alaska native
alone or American Indian and Alaska native in combination with one or
more other races who were added to the nation’s population between
Census Day, April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2002. This population increased
at a rate of 2.4 percent over the period, roughly the same rate of increase
as the overall population.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-100.html>
3.1 million
The number of American Indians and Alaska natives who claim membership
in a specific tribe. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn56.html>
48
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives who are married.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
The percentage of adopted children who are American Indian and Alaska
native (1.6 percent) is higher than the percentage of biological (1.0
percent) or stepchildren (1.2 percent) who are American Indian and Alaska
native. This is due in part to informal adoptions in American Indian
and Alaska native communities. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-130.html>
Population Distribution
Nation
538,300
Number of American Indians and Alaska natives living on reservations
or other trust lands. Of this number, 175,200 reside on Navajo nation
reservation and trust lands, which span portions of Arizona, New Mexico
and Utah. This is by far the most populous reservation or trust land.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
66
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives who live in metropolitan
areas, lowest of any
race group. A majority of American Indians and Alaska natives lived
outside metropolitan areas until about 1990. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn173.html>
States
683,000
American Indian and Alaska native population in California on July 1,
2002, the highest total of any state in the nation. California is followed
by Oklahoma (395,000) and Arizona (320,000).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-144.html>
19
Percentage of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian
and Alaska native on July 1, 2002, the highest rate for this race group
of any state in the nation, followed by Oklahoma (11 percent) and New
Mexico (11 percent). <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-144.html>
21,900
The number of American Indians and Alaska natives added to Arizona’s
population between Census Day, April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2002. That
was the largest numeric increase of any state in the nation. California
and Texas added 10,200 and 9,700, respectively.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-144.html>
9.2
The percentage increase in Nevada’s American Indian and Alaska
native population between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2002. That was
the highest such percentage increase for this group of any state in
the nation. Florida and Arizona were next, with increases of 7.4 percent
and 7.3 percent, respectively. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-144.html>
Counties
156,000
Number of American Indians and Alaska natives in Los Angeles County,
Calif., on July 1, 2002. Los Angeles led all the nation’s counties
in the number of people in this racial category.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-143.html>
50
Percentage of residents of Navajo County, Ariz., who identified themselves
as American Indian or Alaska native on July 1, 2002, highest percentage
of any county.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-143.html>
9,000
Number of American Indians or Alaska natives added to the population
of Maricopa County, Ariz., between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2002.
Maricopa led all the nation’s counties in this category. Meanwhile,
when it comes to percentage increase in the American Indian and Alaska
native population, Fairfax County, Va., led all counties with a 45 percent
increase over the same period.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-143.html>
Age Distribution
1.4 million
The number of American Indian and Alaska native children under 18. Children
comprise nearly one-third of this race group. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-100.html>
292,000
Number of American Indians and Alaska natives age 65 and over. This
age group comprises 7 percent of the American Indian and Alaska native
population.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-100.html>
Education
14
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over who
had earned at least a bachelor’s degree. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
75
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over who
had at least a high school diploma. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
125,000
Number of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over who have
an advanced degree (i.e., master’s, Ph.D., medical or law). <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
Homeownership
The American Indian and Alaska native homeownership rate — the
percentage of American Indian and Alaska native households who own their
own home — is 55 percent. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
Proud to Serve
383,000
Number of military veterans who identified themselves as American Indian
and Alaska natives. Of these, 147,000 served during the Vietnam War
era. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
Language
381,000
Number of people who speak a native North American language. Of these
languages, the most commonly spoken is Navajo, with 178,014 speakers.
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/phc-t20.html>
Jobs
24
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 16 and over who
work in management, professional and related occupations. <http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-25.pdf>
available free from Adobe.
