September kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) around the country. This annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to  American society at large. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period in 1988.

September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Indigenous People’s Day and Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which are October 12, fall within this 30 day period.

For some context on the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, the Hispanic population makes up 19.1% of the United States, making it the nation’s most significant racial or ethnic minority.

There are 13 states with one million or more Hispanic residents in 2022 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. The nation’s most significant increase in Hispanics was in Harris County, Texas 1.7%. from July 1, 2021-July 1, 2022.

The median age of the Hispanic population in 2022 is 30.7, up from 30.4 in 2021. The vast majority of U.S. Hispanics are U.S. citizens. About 81% of Hispanics living in the country in 2021 were U.S. citizens, up from 74% in 2010. U.S. citizens include people born in the U.S. and its territories (including Puerto Rico), people born abroad to American parents, and immigrants who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.

Some Hispanic groups aged more than the overall U.S. Hispanic population between 2010 and 2021. The median ages of Puerto Ricans and Venezuelans living in the U.S. rose by more than four years, from 26.8 to 31.0 years and 31.3 to 36.0 years, respectively. In contrast, Hondurans’ and Spaniards’ median ages fell from 27.4 to 26.9 and 34.6 to 34.2, respectively.

The share of U.S. Hispanic adults with a bachelor’s degree is growing. One in five Hispanics aged 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2021. While this share was less than that of the overall U.S. population (38%), it was up from 13% of Hispanic adults in 2010. For additional information visit census.gov.

GED is pleased to celebrate the heritage and diversity of one of its most prominent groups of test takers!