Key facts about U.S. Hispanics and their diverse heritage

10 Facts about US Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage month

As an MWBE and business with Hispanic roots and heritage, Compulink is excited to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month. Latino small-business onwers like Compulink are one of the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs in the US. Latino business owners grew by over 34% compared to 2010, yet still only make uo 1% of all business owners in the US, which is why it is so important to keep supporting these businesses as they continue to find their footing as key contributors to the US’ economy. To celebrate one of the nation’s fastest growing racial groups, we gathered 10 facts about US Latinos in honor of the monthlong celebration.

1. The US Hispanic population reached over 62.1 million people in 2020, a 23% increase from 50 million when it was last recorded in 2010 (source: Pew Research).
2. National Hispanic Heritage month began as a week-long celebration under President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, but was expanded to a month under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
3. National Hispanic Heritage month begins on September 15 and concludes on October 15.
4. September 15, the day the monthlong celebration begins, plays a significant role due to the corresponding anniversaries of independence on the same day for the Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
5. Mexico and Chile also support their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
6. Those with Mexican ancestry account for more than 62% of the total Hispanic population in the US (pew research)
7. North and South Dakota have seen the fastest growth in their Hispanic Populations since 2010 (pew research)
8. National Hispanic Heritage month honors the cultures, stories, history and impact of US citizens whose ancestors originated from Spain, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
9. Hispanic Americans are the nation’s second-fastest-growing racial or ethnic group after Asian Americans (pew research).
10. Over 80% of Latinos are US citizens (pew research).