American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month originated in 1915 when the president of the Congress of American Indian Associations issued a proclamation declaring the second Saturday in May of each year as American Indian Day. The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. 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.

Population
4.4 million
As of July 1, 2004, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.5 percent of the total population.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/005164.html>

687,400
The American Indian and Alaska native population in California as of July 1, 2004, the highest total of any state in the nation. California was followed by Oklahoma (398,200) and Arizona (322,200). About 6,400 American Indians and Alaska natives were added to Arizona’s population between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004. That is the largest numeric increase of any state in the nation. Florida and Texas added 5,300 and 4,500, respectively.

About 1 in 5
The proportion of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian and Alaska native as of July 1, 2004, the highest rate for this race group of any state in the nation. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma and New Mexico (11 percent each).

153,500
The number of American Indians and Alaska natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as of July 1, 2004. Los Angeles led all the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial category. Maricopa County, Ariz., added about 3,000 people of this group between July 1, 2003, and July 1, 2004. Maricopa led all the nation’s counties in this category.

Source for the preceding three statements:
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/005514.html>

Families and Children
549,299
The number of American Indian and Alaska native families. Of these:

Homeownership
Nearly 6-in-10
The proportion of American Indian and Alaska native households who own their own home. (Source: American FactFinder)

Languages
381,000
The number of people 5 years and older who speak a native North American language at home. The most common language is Navajo, spoken by 178,014. <http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/phc-t20.html>

Education
76%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and older who have at least a high school diploma. Also, 14 percent have at least a bachelor’s degree. (Source: American FactFinder)

Businesses
$26.4 billion
Receipts for American Indian- and Alaska native-owned businesses in 2002. These businesses numbered 206,125. An estimated 25,101 such firms had paid employees, with receipts of $21.2 billion, or $847,492 per firm.

For more information on the data in this section:
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/ 005477.html>.

Jobs
24%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations. (Source: American FactFinder)

Income and Poverty
$33,132
The median income of households where the householder reported they were American Indian and Alaska native and no other race. The median income is based on a three-year average (2002-2004).

24%
The poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska native and no other race, based on a three-year average.

For information on the data in this section:
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/ releases/archives/income_wealth/005647.html>.

Health Insurance
29%
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/005647.html>

Veterans
185,000
The number of American Indian and Alaska native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
(Source: American FactFinder)

Following is a list of observances typically covered by the Census Bureau Facts for Features series: