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American Indians By the Numbers

From the U.S. Census Bureau

Population

2.9 million
As of 2010, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives. They made up 0.9% of the total population.

8.6 million
The projected population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race, on July 1, 2050. They would comprise 2 percent of the total population.

83,250
Increase in the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007.

29.7
Median age of the single-race American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2008, younger than the median of 36.8 for the population as a whole. About 30 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives
were younger than 18, and 8 percent were 65 and older.

738,978
The American Indian and Alaska Native population in California as of July 1, 2008, the highest total of any state. California was followed by Oklahoma (406,492) and Arizona (359,841).

5
Number of states where American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest race or ethnic minority group in 2008. These states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

11
Number of states with more than 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents on July 1, 2008. These states were California, Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, New York, Washington, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Alaska. Combined, these states were home to 61 percent of the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native residents.

18%
The proportion of Alaska's population identified as American Indian and Alaska Native as of July 1, 2008, the highest rate for this race group of any state. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma (11 percent) and New Mexico (11 percent).

155,010
The number of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as of July 1, 2008. Los Angeles led all of the nation's counties in the number of people of this racial category. Maricopa County, Ariz., added about 2,300 people to this group between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, leading the nation's counties in this category.

10
Among counties or equivalents with total populations of 10,000 or more, number that were majority American Indian and Alaska Native, as of July 1, 2008. Shannon, S.D., led the way, with 88 percent of its population being a member of this race group.

Families and Children

545,403
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native families in 2008. Of these:
321,430 were married-couple families, including those with children.
145,691 were married couples with their own children, under the age of 18.

3.64
Average number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family. This is larger than the average size of all families (3.2 people).

Housing

55%
The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who own their own home.

$129,000
Median value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Languages

29%
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 age 25 and older who have at least a high school diploma. Also, 13% have at least a bachelor's degree.

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, Calif., 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 nation's states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York, and Florida followed.

Nearly 3-in-10
Ratio of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms which 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 which 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% of the total number of American Indian and Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64% 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.

Jobs

24%
The percentage of civilian-employed American Indian and Alaska Native people 16 and older who worked in management, professional and related occupations. In addition, 24 percent worked in sales and office occupations and about the same percentage worked in service occupations.

Caregivers

56%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 30 and older who lived with grandchildren and were responsible for their care. The corresponding rate for the population as a whole was 41 percent.

Veterans

160,471
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

Income and Poverty

$37,815
The 2008 median income of households whre the householder reoprted being American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.

24.2%
The 2008 poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race.

Health Insurance

31.7%
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.