- HACU will release its new lists and analysis of HSIs, eHSIs for 2023-24 on the week of April 21, 2025.
Hispanic Demographics: A Vital Force in America’s Future
- In 2023, the Hispanic community in the United States reached a remarkable milestone, with over 65 million Hispanics residing in the U.S. and an additional 3.2 million in Puerto Rico. Representing 19.5% of the U.S. population, Hispanics are reshaping the social, cultural, and economic landscape of the nation.
- With a median age of 30.7 years—eight years younger than the national median—Hispanics are a young demographic. Notably, 31% of the Hispanic community is under 18 years old, compared to just 22% of the general U.S. population, highlighting the importance of investing in education and future opportunities for this group.
- Geographically, the Hispanic population is concentrated in several key states. California leads with 15.7 million, followed by Texas with 12.1 million. Other states with significant Hispanic populations include Florida, New York, Arizona, and several others, each with over 1 million Hispanic residents.
- The Hispanic community is not only large but also economically influential. In the third quarter of 2023, Hispanics made up 19.1% of the U.S. labor force. This figure is set to surge, with projections indicating that by 2030, Hispanic workers will account for a staggering 78% of net new workers in the country, totaling 35.9 million. This growth is mirrored in Hispanic buying power, which skyrocketed from $213 billion in 1990 to $1.97 trillion in 2020, demonstrating a significant annual growth rate of 7.57%.
Dramatic Educational Gains Among the Nation's Fast-Growing Hispanic Population
- Hispanic representation in higher education is also on a rapid ascent. In 2022, Hispanic enrollment in higher education soared to nearly 3.8 million students. By 2026, this number is expected to exceed 4.3 million, marking the fastest growth rate among all racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
- This academic momentum is particularly evident in STEM fields, where the percentage of STEM degrees conferred to Hispanic students rose from 9.2% in 2009 to 15.6% in 2022. This growth underscores the expanding influence of Hispanic students in critical areas of innovation and technology.
- In the fall of 2022, 3.2 million Hispanic undergraduates were enrolled in nonprofit postsecondary institutions, reflecting their strong commitment to education. Hispanic students are also making significant strides in degree attainment, earning 25.9% of all associate degrees conferred in 2022—up from 13.2% in 2011. Similarly, Hispanic students earned 16.3% of all bachelor’s degrees in 2022, a substantial increase from 9.2% in 2011.