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. 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.
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839.html>
48%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives who are married.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
56%
Among American Indians and Alaska natives age 30 and over who live with
their grandchildren, the percentage who also provide care for them.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/census_2000/001442.html>
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.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet>
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. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2002/cb02cn173.html>
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).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/002897.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/002897.html>
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).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/002897.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/002897.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/002897.html>
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. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839.html>
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.
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/race/001839.html>
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).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/002484.html>
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).
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/002484.html>
Education
14%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over
who had at least a bachelor’s degree.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
75%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 25 and over
who had at least a high school diploma.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
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).
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
Homeownership
The American Indian and Alaska native homeownership rate — the
percentage of American Indian and Alaska native households who own their
own home — is 56 percent. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
Proud to Serve
159,000
The number of American Indian and Alaska native veterans of the U.S.
armed forces. <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
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. <http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/phc-t20.html>
Jobs
24%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska natives age 16 and over
who work in management, professional and related occupations.
<http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_program=ACS&_lang=en&_ts=102594835162>
