American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2004 (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Sunday, November 07, 2004

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2004
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/4198/

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.

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.

4.4 million The estimated number of people, as of July 1, 2003, who are
American Indian and Alaska native or American Indian and Alaska native
in combination with one or more other races. They make up 1.5 percent
of the total population.

141,000 The estimated number of people who are American Indian and
Alaska native alone or American Indian and Alaska native in combination
with one or more other races added to the nation's population between
Census Day, April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2003. This population increased
at a rate of 3.3 percent over the period, roughly the same rate of
increase as the overall population.

American Indian tribal groups with more than 50,000 members are Apache,
Cherokee, Chippewa, Choctaw, Lumbee, Navajo, Pueblo and Sioux. Cherokee
and Navajo are easily the largest, with populations of 234,000 and
204,000, respectively.

Eskimo is the largest Alaska native tribal group, with 37,000 members.


Families and Children

484,000 The number of American Indian and Alaska native families. Of
these:

294,000, or 61 percent, are married-couple families.

266,000, or 55 percent, are families with their own children under 18.

And 141,000, or 29 percent, are married couples with their own children
under 18.

48% The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives who are
married.

56% Among American Indians and Alaska natives age 30 and over who live
with their grandchildren, the percentage who also provide care for
them.


Population Distribution

Nation
538,300 The number of American Indians and Alaska natives alone or in
combination with one or more other races 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.

57% The 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.

States

683,900 The American Indian and Alaska native population in California
as of July 1, 2003, the highest total of any state in the nation.
California is followed by Oklahoma (394,800) and Arizona (327,500).

29,400 The number of American Indians and Alaska natives added to
Arizona's population between Census Day, April 1, 2000, and July 1,
2003. That is the largest numeric increase of any state in the nation.
Florida and Texas added 13,700 and 11,800, respectively.

19% The percentage of Alaska's population identified as American Indian
and Alaska native as of July 1, 2003, the highest rate for this race
group of any state in the nation. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma and
New Mexico (11 percent each).

Counties

154,900 The number of American Indians and Alaska natives in Los Angeles
County, Calif., as of July 1, 2003. Los Angeles led all the nation's
counties in the number of people of this racial category.

10,800 The number of American Indians or Alaska natives added to the
population of Maricopa County, Ariz., between April 1, 2000, and July
1, 2003. Maricopa led all the nation's counties in this category.

Age Distribution

1.3 million The number of American Indian and Alaska native children
under 18. Children comprise nearly one-third of this race group.

305,500 The 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.

8% The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives who are high
school-age children (14 to 17). Along with native Hawaiians and other
Pacific islanders, American Indians and Alaska natives top all race and
ethnic groups in this age category.

Income and Poverty

$34,740 The median income of households where the householder reported
they were American Indian or Alaska native, either alone or in
combination with other race groups. The median income is based on a
three-year average (2001-2003).

20% The poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indians
and Alaska natives, either alone or in combination with another race
group, based on a three-year average (2001-2003).

Education

14% The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and
over who had at least a bachelor's degree.

75% The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and
over who had at least a high school diploma.

50,500 The number of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over
who had an advanced degree (i.e., master's, Ph.D., medical or law).

Homeownership

56% The percentage of American Indian and Alaska native households who
own their own home.

Proud to Serve

159,000 The number of American Indian and Alaska native veterans of the
U.S. armed forces.

Language

381,000 The number of people 5 years and over who speak a native North
American language. Of these languages, the most commonly spoken is
Navajo, with 178,014 speakers.

Jobs

24% The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 16 and
over who work in management, professional and related occupations.

Census Bureau Launches Revised Multimedia Page in Observance of American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month 2004

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a new version of its American
Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month multimedia page, offering easy
access to the latest data and related materials on this race group.

The Web site highlights population characteristics from the American
Community Survey, as well as the 2003 population estimates. Additional
media tools, including hyperlinks to data tables, photos, maps, radio
spots, tribal information and other useful resources also are provided.

www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/multimedia/aian2004.html