EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12:01 A.M. EST, MARCH 8, 2000 (Wednesday) Public Information Office CB00-38 301-457-3030/301-457-3670 (fax) 301-457-1037 (TDD) e-mail: pio@census.gov Roberto Ramirez 301-457-2403 Census Bureau Updates Profile of Nation's Latino Groups The estimated proportion of the Hispanic population with at least a bachelor's degree ranges from 25 percent for Cubans to 7 percent for Mexicans, according to 1999 data released today by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau. Overall, about 11 percent of Hispanics age 25 years and older reported having at least a bachelor's degree, compared with 28 percent of non-Hispanic Whites. "The country's Latino population is not as homogeneous as some might think," said Roberto Ramirez, author of The Hispanic Population in the United States March -- 1999 (Spanish Version) "In many respects, people with origins in Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America, as well as other Hispanic countries, have wide variations in their social and economic characteristics, from educational attainment and marriage, to employment and income." Estimates for 1999 showed that nearly two-thirds (20.6 million) of Hispanics were of Mexican origin; 14 percent (4.5 million) were of Central and South American origin; 10 percent (3 million) were of Puerto Rican origin; 7 percent (2 million) had origins in the Caribbean and other countries; and 4 percent (1.4 million) were of Cuban origin. Other findings: - Among Hispanic groups, people of Mexican origin had the lowest proportion (50 percent) of people with a high school diploma or more; others: Puerto Ricans and Central and South Americans (64 percent each); other Hispanics -- those from the Caribbean and other countries (71 percent); and Cubans (70 percent). (The percentages of Puerto Ricans and Central and South Americans with a high school diploma or more were not significantly different from each other. In addition, the percentages of Cubans and other Hispanics with a high school diploma or more were not significantly different from each other). Overall, 56 percent of Hispanics were high school graduates compared with 88 percent of non-Hispanic Whites. - The poverty rate among Hispanic groups ranged from 31 percent for Puerto Ricans to 14 percent for Cubans. (The percentages of Puerto Ricans and people of Mexican origin in poverty were not significantly different from each other). Hispanics were about three times more likely to be living below the poverty level (26 percent) than non-Hispanic Whites (8 percent). - Among children (under 18 years of age), 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lived below the poverty level in 1998, 35 percent of Mexicans, 32 percent of other Hispanics, 27 percent of Central and South Americans and 16 percent of Cubans. (The poverty rates for Puerto Rican children were not significantly different from that of Mexican and other Hispanic children. In addition, the poverty rates for Cuban children were not significantly different from that of Central and South American and other Hispanic children. Finally, the poverty rates for other Hispanic children were not significantly different from that of Mexican and Central and South American children). - About 34 percent of Hispanic children lived in poverty in as did 11 percent of non-Hispanic White children. In addition to 1999 data, tabulations for 1998 were also released today. The data are from March supplements to the Current Population Survey. Statistics from sample surveys are subject to sampling and nonsampling error.