Hispanic Heritage Month

Claudia Goffan, MBA

As the U.S. Latino population nears 50 million and as Hispanic Heritage Month just ended, I wanted to share some information about it published by the U.S. Census that I hope you will find interesting.

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Population

46.9 million

The estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2008, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 15 percent of the nation’s total population. In addition, there are approximately 4 million residents of Puerto Rico.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html and http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013049.html
 

More than 1

…of every two people added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, was Hispanic. There were 1.5 million Hispanics added to the population during the period.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
3.2%

Percentage increase in the Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, making Hispanics the fastest-growing minority group.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
132.8 million

The projected Hispanic population of the United States on July 1, 2050. According to this projection, Hispanics will constitute 30 percent of the nation’s population by that date.

Source: Population projections http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496.html
22.4 million

The nation’s Hispanic population during the 1990 Census — less than half the current total.

Source: The Hispanic Population: 2000 http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/c2kbr01-3.pdf
2nd

Ranking of the size of the U.S. Hispanic population worldwide, as of 2008. Only Mexico (110 million) had a larger Hispanic population than the United States (46.9 million).

Source: International Data Base http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbsum.html and population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
64%

The percentage of Hispanic-origin people in the United States who were of Mexican background in 2007. Another 9 percent were of Puerto Rican background, with 3.5 percent Cuban, 3.1 percent Salvadoran and 2.7 percent Dominican. The remainder were of some other Central American, South American or other Hispanic or Latino origin.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
About 45 percent of the nation’s Dominicans lived in New York City in 2007 and about half of the nation’s Cubans in Miami-Dade County, Fla.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
25%

Percentage of children younger than 5 who were Hispanic in 2008. All in all, Hispanics comprised 22 percent of children younger than 18.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
27.7 years

Median age of the Hispanic population in 2008. This compared with 36.8 years for the population as a whole.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
107

Number of Hispanic males in 2008 per every 100 Hispanic females. This was in sharp contrast to the overall population, which had 97 males per every 100 females.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733.html
States and Counties

48%

The percentage of the Hispanic-origin population that lived in California or Texas in 2008. California was home to 13.5 million Hispanics, and Texas was home to 8.9 million.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
16

The number of states with at least a half-million Hispanic residents — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
45%

The percentage of New Mexico’s population that was Hispanic in 2008, the highest of any state. Hispanics also made up at least one fifth of the population in California and Texas, at 37 percent each, Arizona (30 percent), Nevada (26 percent), Florida (21 percent) and Colorado (20 percent). New Mexico had 891,000 Hispanics.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
The Carolinas

The states with the highest percentage increases in Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008. South Carolina’s increase was 7.7 percent and North Carolina’s was 7.4 percent.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
4.7 million

The Hispanic population of Los Angeles County, Calif., in 2008 — the largest of any county in the nation. Los Angeles County also had the biggest numerical increase in the Hispanic population (67,000) since July 2007.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
97%

Proportion of the population of Starr County, Texas, that was Hispanic as of 2008, which led the nation. All of the top 10 counties in this category were in Texas.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
48

Number of the nation’s 3,142 counties that are majority-Hispanic.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
15%

Percent increase in the Hispanic population in Luzerne County, Pa., from July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008. Among all counties with 2007 Hispanic populations of at least 10,000, Luzerne topped the nation in this category. Luzerne’s county seat is Wilkes-Barre.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
313,000

The increase in California’s Hispanic population between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, which led all states. Texas (305,000) and Florida (111,000) also recorded large increases.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
20

Number of states in which Hispanics are the largest minority group. These states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Source: Population estimates http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734.html
Businesses

Source for statements in this section: Hispanic-owned Firms: 2002  http://www.census.gov/csd/sbo/hispanic2002.htm
1.6 million

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002.

Nearly 43 percent of Hispanic-owned firms operated in construction; administrative and support, and waste management and remediation services; and other services, such as personal services, and repair and maintenance. Retail and wholesale trade accounted for nearly 36 percent of Hispanic-owned business revenue.

Counties with the highest number of Hispanic-owned firms were Los Angeles County (188,422); Miami-Dade County (163,187); and Harris County, Texas (61,934).

Triple

The rate of growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 (31 percent) compared with the national average (10 percent) for all businesses.

$222 billion

Revenue generated by Hispanic-owned businesses in 2002, up 19 percent from 1997.

44.6%

…of all Hispanic-owned firms were owned by people of Mexican origin (Mexican, Mexican-American or Chicano).

29,168

Number of Hispanic-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more.

Families and Children

10.4 million

The number of Hispanic family households in the United States in 2008. Of these households, 62 percent included children younger than 18.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html
66%

The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html
43%

The percentage of Hispanic family households consisting of a married couple with children younger than 18.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html
70%

Percentage of Hispanic children living with two parents.

Source: Families and Living Arrangements http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/families_households/013378.html
Spanish Language

35 million

The number of U.S. residents 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2007. Those who hablan espanol constituted 12 percent of U.S. residents. More than half of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
4

Number of states where at least one-in-five residents spoke Spanish at home in 2007 — Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/012634.html
78%

Percentage of Hispanics 5 and older who spoke Spanish at home in 2007.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey  http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$38,679

The median income of Hispanic households in 2007, statistically unchanged from the previous year after adjusting for inflation.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html
21.5%

The poverty rate among Hispanics in 2007, up from 20.6 percent in 2006.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html
32.1%

The percentage of Hispanics who lacked health insurance in 2007, down from 34.1 percent in 2006.

Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/012528.html
Education

53%

The percentage of Hispanic 4-year-olds enrolled in nursery school in 2007, up from 43 percent in 1997 and 21 percent in 1987.

Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html
62%

The percentage of Hispanics 25 and older who had at least a high school education in 2008.

Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
13%

The percentage of the Hispanic population 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2008.

Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
3.6 million

The number of Hispanics 18 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2008.

Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
1 million

Number of Hispanics 25 and older with advanced degrees in 2008 (e.g., master’s, professional, doctorate).

Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2008  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013618.html
12%

Percentage of full-time college students (both undergraduate and graduate students) in October 2007 who were Hispanic, up from 10 percent in 2006.

Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html
20%

Percentage of elementary and high school students combined who were Hispanic.

Source: School Enrollment – Social and Economic Characteristics of Students: October 2007  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/education/013391.html
Names

4

The number of Hispanic surnames ranked among the 15 most common in 2000. It was the first time that a Hispanic surname reached the top 15 during a census. Garcia was the most frequent Hispanic surname, occurring 858,289 times and placing eighth on the list — up from 18th in 1990. Rodriguez (ninth), Martinez (11th) and Hernandez (15th) were the next most common Hispanic surnames.

Source: Census 2000 Genealogy  http://www.census.gov/genealogy/www/freqnames2k.html
Jobs

67%

Percentage of Hispanics 16 and older who were in the civilian labor force in 2007.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
18%

The percentage of Hispanics 16 or older who worked in management, professional and related occupations in 2007. The same percentage worked in production, transportation and material moving occupations. Another 16 percent worked in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations. Approximately 24 percent of Hispanics 16 or older worked in service occupations; 21 percent in sales and office occupations; and 2 percent in farming, fishing and forestry occupations.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm
79,400

Number of Hispanic chief executives. In addition, 50,866 physicians and surgeons; 48,720 postsecondary teachers; 38,532 lawyers; and 2,726 news analysts, reporters and correspondents are Hispanic.

Source: Upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603  http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
Voting

5.6 million

The number of Hispanic citizens who reported voting in the 2006 congressional elections. The percentage of Hispanic citizens voting — about 32 percent — did not change statistically from four years earlier.

Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2006  http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/012234.html
Serving our Country

1.1 million

The number of Hispanic veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Source: 2007 American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

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

African-American History Month (February)

Labor Day
Super Bowl Grandparents Day
Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) Hispanic Heritage Month
Women’s History Month (March) (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
Irish-American Heritage Month (March)/ Unmarried and Single
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) Americans Week
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) Halloween (Oct. 31)
Older Americans Month (May) American Indian/Alaska
Cinco de Mayo (May 5) Native Heritage Month
Mother’s Day (November)
Father’s Day Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
The Fourth of July (July 4) Thanksgiving Day
Anniversary of Americans with The Holiday Season
Disabilities Act (July 26) (December)
Back to School (August)

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: pio@census.gov.

Cultural Differences: Its Impact on Customer Acquisition and Retention – By Claudia Goffan, MBA

Claudia Goffan, MBA

When I arrived to the U.S., 18 years ago, I opened a checking Account with Bank of America. It was obvious. The name, Bank of America, carried in it a familiarity that no other bank did. I, too, was born in America, the continent of America. What people do not know is that in Latin American schools teach you that America is a single continent divided into three parts, North, Central and South America. This is the reason that you may have heard Latinos say: “we are American too.” Back to my story, Bank of America, one; other banks, zero. 

A few months later, and having maintained what I thought was an excellent relationship with the bank, I decided to fill out an application for a credit card, “the Bank of America VISA.” After three long weeks, I received a letter stating that my application had been denied without a reason given. I got really upset and went to the bank to let hell loose. I had been a wonderful customer and had more than enough money in my account-and they knew it- in order to respond to whatever spending limit they could give me. The answer was: “You need to call Visa, we (Bank of America) don’t have anything to do with this.” I immediately called Visa and was told that my request had been denied because I didn’t exist. “Didn’t exist? But here I am, I exist,” was my response with utter disbelief. The lady explained that I didn’t have a credit history. Until then, I never knew a credit history existed. No such concept existed in my home country where people purchase a home with cash and they don’t pay their bills with checks, as they will get “lost” in the mail (but that’s a different story). In the end, I realized that I wasn’t going to get my credit card with Bank of America or VISA. What a disappointment. And, what an insult to tell me I didn’t exist. 

I decided to fill out an application with American Express. Two weeks later, a person from American Express called me at home and wanted to know why they couldn’t find any credit history on me. Now, that’s service! I told her I had lived in the U.S. for just a few months. She replied: “Perfectly understandable. You will receive your card in the mail within 2 weeks.” Needless to say, I never forgot my experience with VISA or with American Express. I have been a loyal customer of American Express since 1991, always preferring to use my AMEX to any other credit card. 

Lesson to be learned: Listen to your customers. Cultural differences may be found where you least expect them. You may get lucky the first time, the second time around, you’d better know what you are doing. 

A bit of background on the Latin American financial system 

The concept of a credit history was introduced only a few years ago in Latin American countries. 

There are financial infrastructure obstacles common to the Latin American region, such as uneven income distribution, low penetration of the banking system, low computer usage, and very famous “informal” economies that function only in cash. Remittances from family members abroad only increase the number of cash transactions. 

The banking crisis of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela in the late 1990s enabled a large financial reform and the modernization of the financial infrastructure. One of the changes was the adoption of credit history.

 

CWR Special Report – Inside Latino America

Let The Hate Begin
By Mike Robles
Introduced by Claudia Goffan

I wanted to start the series by talking about what transpired within the Latino community on Twitter during and after the World Soccer Cup game between Argentina and Mexico.

Everybody knows that Argentina defeated Mexico 3-1 last Saturday, moving on to the Quarter Finals and sending Mexico home. Everybody saw that one of the goals scored by Argentina was highly doubtful and the referee did not hear reasons. Everybody saw that the Mexican players were hitting, elbowing and pushing the Argentinean players and, again, the referee did nothing about it because, he didn’t see it.

What people who are on Twitter (and the ones who checked) also know is that this game became an excuse for some Latinos to share their feelings of hatred against another group of Latinos. As I belong to one of these groups, I found it best to have a Latino that doesn’t belong to either group and who has a deep understanding of human nature, share his thoughts.

Voted “One of the top 10 Latino stand-up comedians in the country,” Emmy Award winner, Mike Robles is probably best known as the star and creator of Galavision’s two flagship shows, Video Mix, and Que Locos, which he also served as executive producer. Mike Robles also hosted, along with George Lopez, Loco Comedy Jam on Mun2, an innovative network that is a joint venture between NBC and Telemundo.

Mike Robles has received many distinguished awards for his achievements in the Hispanic community, and has been praised by local politicians and entertainers for being a role model to young Latinos. The NY Daily News summed it up best “Not since Freddie Prinze’s reign has a Latino comic turned so many heads.”
Mike Robles’ comedy also drew the attention of globally renowned, spiritual teacher, celebrity, and New York Times Best Selling author, Deepak Chropra, which lead to Mike performing before the World Alliance for a New Humanity forum in Cost Rica!

Mike likes to hear about people therefore, feel free to contact him at mike@mikerobles.com.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

World Cup 2010 Mexico vs Argentina. Let The Hate Begin!

 

July 6, 2010 – Atlanta, GA – Am I lead to believe that a soccer game between two Latin American countries, Mexico vs Argentina, can expose interracial racism and hate amongst us?

 

Today, on Twitter, “Pinche Argentinos”  (“Damn Argentinos”) is a trending topic!  At first, I was LMAO. It sounded funny!
 
On a more serious note, it’s kind of disappointing how some of my Latino brothers and sisters hated on each other because of the outcome of a soccer game.

As a sports fan, I know emotions can run high when it comes to rooting for “your team!” However, if my team loses, and I start ranting and raving, making racial remarks about you, your country, then what? I have had Dallas Cowboys fans get upset with me after my Giants took care of business. They called me every name in the book, but they never played the race card.
 
I have noticed this issue has caused some tension and division among some of my Latino Twitter friends. We all agree social media has played a huge role in bringing Latinos together. It has allowed us the opportunity to network, socialize, share information, and enhance our voice as a group. To see things become heated among followers of LATISM (Latinos in Social Media), made me think how long are we willing to work together before interracial racism takes us down, breaks the bond, and make us weaker?
 
Here are just a few comments posted on Twitter;
 
… JAMÁS BAJAREMOS NUESTRO ORGULLO POR UNOS NARIZONES:… (We will never swallow our pride for some big nosed people)
 
… ARGENTINOS DROGADOS Y TRAMPOSOS, ALEMANIA LES VA HA METER LA SALCHICHA ALEMANA… (Argentines junkies and cheaters, Germany will stuff you with their German sausage)
 
…I hate them! dam.. n, I HATE THEIR TEAM!!!! #arg -…..
 
And these are just some of the less offensive comments left on Twitter.
 
Let me be the first to say, I am not implying all people feel this way or agree with how some people chose to express their personal hate on the Internet. What it did was bring awareness of the fact racism does exist between different Latino denominations. I’ve heard them all; Puerto Ricans don’t like Dominicans, Mexicans don’t like Hondurans, Colombians don’t like Venezuelans, and Cubans don’t like any of us! Whether this is true or false, I’ll let you be the judge.
 
As a result of Argentina defeating Mexico, there are some now rooting for Germany, not Argentina.  This has caused a debate amongst Latinos, some making reference to the infamous “Latino-Crab Story” (Latinos keeping Latinos down).

Should Latinos show support, and root for their Latino brothers, Argentina or cheer for the Germans?
 
For the record, I am rooting for Spain in the World Cup 2010, now that the USA and Mexico have been eliminated.

In the end, we are all winners!