The poverty rate among Hispanics in the United States dropped to 16.8 percent in 2022, a notable decrease from the 25 percent recorded in 2012, though it remains above the national average. According to a report by the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 10 million Hispanics were living in poverty a couple of years ago, when the overall poverty rate in the country was 11.5 percent (37.9 million people).
The document reveals that Alabama (25%) had the highest percentage of people in poverty, followed by Montana (24.2%) and Pennsylvania (23.9%), while Wyoming had the lowest rate (10.2%). According to the EFE agency, this scenario in Wyoming is likely due to the presence of well-paying jobs in the oil and gas sector, a trend that continues today.
Historically, the Hispanic poverty rate hovered around 22 percent during the 1970s but surged to 29 percent in the 1980s due to ongoing migration trends. However, increased participation in the labor force and higher college graduation rates over the past decade have significantly contributed to a reduction in the number of people living in poverty.
As of 2023, Hispanics make up 19.5 percent of the U.S. population, making them the second-largest demographic group after non-Hispanic whites. The Hispanic population surpassed 65 million, marking an increase of nearly 1.2 million residents since 2022. "It's expanding at a considerably faster rate than the non-Hispanic population, mainly due to natural increase, meaning more births than deaths," said Kristie Wilder, a demographer with the Census Bureau's Population Division.
Research indicates that the states with the largest Hispanic populations are California (15,760,437), Texas (12,135,690), Florida (6,197,465), and New York (3,873,130), although Hispanic communities are dispersed throughout the entire nation.
Understanding Hispanic Poverty Rates in the U.S.
In this section, we address common questions about the trends and factors influencing the poverty rates among Hispanics in the United States.
What factors have contributed to the decline in Hispanic poverty rates?
Increased labor force participation and higher college graduation rates over the past decade have significantly contributed to reducing poverty among Hispanics.
Which states have the highest and lowest Hispanic poverty rates?
Alabama has the highest Hispanic poverty rate at 25%, while Wyoming has the lowest at 10.2%.
How does the Hispanic population growth compare to the non-Hispanic population?
The Hispanic population is growing at a considerably faster rate than the non-Hispanic population, mainly due to natural increase, which means more births than deaths.