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A by the numbers look at the current Hispanic population in the United States

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 17:35 GMT by Associated Press
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U.S. Latino Population Hits Record 62 Million, Census Says

The United States Census Bureau’s latest population estimates confirm that the country’s Hispanic or Latino community has reached an all‑time high, growing to 62.1 million people—up 4 % from the 60 million counted in 2020. The figure now represents 18.7 % of the total U.S. population, making Hispanic people the fastest‑growing demographic group in the nation over the past decade and the second largest after non‑Hispanic whites.

How the Numbers Were Derived

The Bureau released the “Population and Housing Unit Estimates” for 2023 on Tuesday, a product of a complex methodology that blends 2020 Census headcounts with vital statistics (births, deaths, and migrations) and a variety of demographic models. The estimates are meant to provide a near‑real‑time snapshot of how the population changes between decennial censuses, and they form the basis for many policy decisions, federal funding allocations, and political redistricting efforts.

“We’re seeing a remarkable demographic shift,” said Dr. William G. Smith, senior demographer at the Census Bureau. “Hispanic people are growing at a faster pace than any other group, and the mix of ages and geographic distribution is changing the shape of the country.”

The Mix Within the Hispanic Community

While the headline number of 62.1 million captures the total Hispanic population, the new estimates break that figure down into a rich tapestry of identities. Roughly 90 % of the Hispanic population is foreign‑born, with the largest source countries being Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. The remaining 10 % are U.S.‑born, many of whom trace their ancestry back to earlier waves of immigration in the early to mid‑1900s.

The Census also reports that the number of people identifying as both Hispanic and multiracial has risen sharply—by 5.4 million since 2020. This reflects an increasing recognition of mixed heritage and a broader trend toward identity fluidity in the United States.

Regional Concentrations and Political Implications

The 2023 estimates highlight where Hispanic people live. California remains the state with the largest Hispanic population (9.2 million), followed by Texas (8.3 million), Florida (6.5 million), New York (4.9 million), and Arizona (3.5 million). Across the country, Hispanic communities are now a major demographic force in states that were once considered firmly “blue” or “red,” and they are reshaping the political landscape in both suburban and rural areas.

A linked AP story notes that in some states, the Hispanic share of the voting population has already exceeded that of the white, non‑Hispanic electorate. Analysts warn that future elections could be decided by the turnout and political preferences of this rapidly growing group.

Future Projections

The Census Bureau projects that the Hispanic population will continue to grow, reaching 25 % of the total U.S. population by 2060. The projection is based on current birth rates, migration trends, and the aging of older cohorts. If current patterns hold, the 62.1 million figure could swell to roughly 80 million in a generation—roughly one in four Americans.

“This trend is going to influence everything from school enrollment to workforce supply, to housing demand, to political representation,” says Dr. Smith. “We’re witnessing a demographic transition that will affect the nation’s identity for decades to come.”

How to Find the Data

The full data set is available on the Census Bureau’s website and can be downloaded in spreadsheet form for more detailed analysis. The AP article itself links to the Bureau’s press release and a separate dataset on the racial and ethnic composition of the U.S. population. For policymakers and researchers, the data also feed into the “Population Estimates Program” and are routinely used for federal grant allocations.

A Turning Point

In a nation long celebrated for its cultural diversity, the 2023 Census estimates signal that the Latino community has become a defining element of the American story. With 62.1 million people spread across the country, the community is no longer a peripheral demographic—it’s at the heart of the nation’s past, present, and future.

As the Census Bureau releases its 2024 estimates and the next decennial Census approaches, scholars, policymakers, and community leaders will be watching closely to see how this transformation unfolds and what it means for the United States’ social, economic, and political fabric.