Hispanic population accounts for most of the nation's growth

2010 Census counted 50.5 million Hispanics in the United States, making up 16.3% of the total population, reports the Pew Hispanic Center. The country's Latino population, which was 35.3 million in 2000, grew 43% over the decade. The Hispanic population also accounted for 56% of the nation's growth (15 million people) from 2000 to 2010.
The 43% growth rate was slower than previous decades. The Center reports growth rates were 53% during the 1980s 58% in the 1990s.
Most Hispanics still reside in nine states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York and Texas) that have large, long-standing Latino communities. The number of Hispanics living in other states has been growing. The Center said in 2010, 76% of Latinos lived in these nine states, compared with 81% in 2000 and 86% in 1990. In 2000, 50% of Hispanics lived in California and Texas alone. In 2010, that share was 46%. Even with the movement out of California, there are more Latinos living in Los Angeles County (4.7 million) than in any state except California and Texas.
Nine states which have experienced the largest percent growth in Hispanic populations include: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina. The Hispanic population also more than doubled in Maryland and South Dakota.

Pictured: The 50.5 million Hispanics in the U.S. account for 16.3% of the population, according to the 2010 Census.
Photo courtesy of Pew Hispanic Center