LATINOS IN AMERICA TODAY

posted by Caitlin Wilenchik

Some facts and figures informing Friday's Arizona Week discussion of Latino progress in Arizona:

-- In 2010, Arizona's total population was 6,392,017, and of that, 29.6 percent, or 1,895,149, are Latino.

-- In employment, Latinos since the recession began in December 2007, the Mexican and Asian populations are actually experiencing the fastest growth rates in the United States. Latino employment rose from 19.5 million in 2009 to 20.7 million in 2011, an increase of 6.5%, says the Pew Hispanic Center. Latinos lost 473,000 jobs in the recession, but gained 1.3 million in the recovery.

--College-age Latinos account for 1.8 million, or 15% of total enrollment of 12.2 million in two- or four-year colleges nationally in 2010.

-- Arizona Latino voters preferred Pfresident Obama over Sen. John McCain by 56 percent to 41 percent in the 2008 presidential election, according to the NALEO Education Fund.

-- About 16 percent of Arizona's registered voters are Latino.

-- 351 Latinos hold elective office in Arizona, including two members of Congress.