American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage
Month: November 2007
Release from the Census Bureau
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. Red Fox James, a
Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback from state to state, getting endorsements from 24 state
governments, to have a day to honor American Indians. 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. This
Facts for Features presents data for American Indians and Alaska Natives, as this is one of
the six major race categories.
Population
4.5 million
As of July 1, 2006, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives,
including those of more than one race. They made up 1.5 percent of the total population. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
45,000
Increase in the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2005, to
July 1, 2006. The population of this group increased by 1 percent during the period. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
31
Median age of the American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2006, younger than the
median of 36.4 for the population as a whole. About 1.3 million American Indians and Alaska
Natives were younger than 18, and 352,000 were 65 and older. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
688,500
The American Indian and Alaska Native population in California as of July 1, 2006, the
highest total of any state in the nation. California was followed by Oklahoma (397,000) and
Arizona (331,200).
About 8,100 American Indians and Alaska Natives were added to Arizona’s population
between July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006. That is the largest numeric increase of any state.
Georgia (3.7 percent) had the highest rate of increase during the period. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
9
Number of states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest race or ethnic
minority group in 2006. These states are Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
11
Number of states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on July
1, 2006. These states were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, New York,
Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Alaska. Combined, these states were home
to 62 percent of the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native residents. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
18%
The proportion of Alaska’s population identified as American Indian and Alaska Native as of
July 1, 2006, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed by
Oklahoma and New Mexico (11 percent each). <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html>
150,000
The number of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as of July
1, 2006. Los Angeles led all of the nation’s counties in the number of people of this racial
category.
Maricopa County, Ariz., added about 3,700 people to this group between July 1, 2005, and
July 1, 2006, leading the nation’s counties in this category. <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010482.html>
28
Number of counties or county equivalents nationwide that were majority American Indian and
Alaska Native, as of July 1, 2006. Wade Hampton Census Area, Alaska, led the way, with 94
percent of its population being a member of this race group. (Among counties or equivalents
with total populations of 10,000 or more, 10 were majority American Indian and Alaska
Native, led by Shannon, S.D., at 88 percent.) <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010482.html>
301,800
The nation’s Cherokee alone population. Cherokee is one of the nation’s largest tribal
groups, along with Navajo (alone), which has a population of 296,100.
Source: 2006 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Families and Children
540,600
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native families. Of these:
- 316,900 are married-couple families, including those with children.
- 150,200 are married couples with their own children, under the age of 18.
3.55
Average number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family. This is larger than
the national average size for all families (3.2 people).
Housing
56%
The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who own their own home.
$108,700
Median value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Languages
28%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 5 years and older who speak a language
other than English at home.
Education
76%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who have at least a high
school diploma. Also, 13 percent have at least a bachelor’s degree.
142,800
Number of American Indians and Alaska Natives 25 and older who have a graduate or
professional degree.
Unless otherwise indicated, the above data come from the 2006 American Community Survey
for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population.
Businesses
$26.9 billion
Receipts for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in 2002. These businesses
numbered 201,387.
20,380
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long
Beach-Riverside Combined Statistical area, making that area number one in the metro
category. Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms (13,061).
38,125
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in California, which led the
states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York and Florida followed.
Nearly 3 in 10
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that operated in construction and
other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).
24,498
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms that had paid employees. These
businesses employed 191,270 people.
3,631
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or
more. These firms accounted for nearly 2 percent of the total number of American Indian- and
Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64 percent of their total receipts.
178
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms with 100 or more employees. These
firms generated nearly $5.3 billion in gross receipts — 24 percent of the total revenue for
American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned employer firms.
New York; Los Angeles; and Gallup, N.M.
The three cities with the largest number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms,
with 7,134; 5,767; and 2,642, respectively.
For more information on the data in this section: American Indian- and Alaska
Native-Owned Firms: 2002, at <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/007013.html>
Jobs
25%
The percentage of civilian employed American Indian and Alaska Native people 16 and older
who worked in management, professional and related occupations. In addition, 23 percent
worked in sales and office occupations and 22 percent in service occupations.
Source: 2006 American Community Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone
population.
Caregivers
56%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 30 and older who lived with grandchildren
and were responsible for caring for them. The corresponding rate for the population as a
whole was 41 percent.
Veterans
168,300
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
Income and Poverty
$33,762
The median income of households where the householder reported being American Indian and
Alaska Native and no other race.
27%
The poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no
other race.
There is a wide variation in the demographic characteristics of American Indians and
Alaska Natives. For instance, members of the Chippewa (alone) tribal group had a median
household income of $36,481, while for Navajos (alone), median household income totaled
$27,815.
Unless otherwise indicated, the previous data come from the 2006 American Community
Survey for the American Indian and Alaska Native alone population.
Health Insurance
31%
The percentage of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no
other race who lacked health insurance coverage, based on a three-year average. Source:
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006, <http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/010583.html>
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