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Hispanic and Latino Americans (Spanish: Estadounidenses hispanos y latinos; Portuguese: Estadunidenses hispânicos e latinos) are Americans (in U.S.A.) of full or partial Spanish and/or Latin American background, culture, or family origin.
Since most Hispanics trace their ancestry to Latin America, they are also often called Latinos. Hispanics make up the largest ethnic minority in the United States, forming more than one-sixth of the country’s population. There are more than 50 million Hispanic Americans, living in all 50 states.
A Latino/a or Hispanic person can be any race or color. In general, "Latino" is understood as shorthand for the Spanish word latinoamericano (or the Portuguese latino-americano) and refers to (almost) anyone born in or with ancestors from Latin America and living in the U.S., including Brazilians.
Facts on Latinos in the U.S. There were 62.5 million Latinos in the United States in 2021, accounting for approximately 19% of the total U.S. population. In 1980, with a population of 14.8 million, Hispanics made up just 7% of the total U.S. population.
The Latino culture is extremely diverse, and there is no singular Latino experience. Explore Latino foodways, art, and music, and learn about the rich history of Latinos, from pre columbian times to today.
Latino history in what is now the United States goes back even before early Spanish colonization. As part of the largest ethnic group in the United States, Latinas and Latinos have significantly contributed to the nation’s identity and have played a vital role in shaping American culture.
The U.S. Hispanic population reached 63.6 million in 2022, up from 50.5 million in 2010. The 26% increase in the Hispanic population was faster than the nation’s 8% growth rate but slower than the 34% increase in the Asian population. In 2022, Hispanics made up nearly one-in-five people in the U.S. (19%), up from 16% in 2010 and just 5% in 1970.
