An Overview of Latino Ethnicities in the U.S.

photo of a multiethnic group of people seen from above

Latino ethnicities are a vibrant and diverse facet of the American social fabric. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2021, individuals of Latino or Hispanic origin account for around 19% of the country's total population, making it the largest ethnic minority in the U.S.


It is essential to note that the Latino community is not monolithic, and there's a rich tapestry of unique cultures, traditions, and languages under the umbrella of this designation. Latino is not a racial category, but an ethnicity, and includes individuals from more than 20 different countries primarily located in Latin America.

In this overview, we spotlight key details on the geographical distribution and unique cultural demographics of the U.S. Latino population:

Mexican

People of Mexican origin constitute the largest Latino ethnicity in the United States, representing roughly 60% (or about 37.2 million people) of the Latino population and about 11.4% of the total U.S. population. They trace their roots back to Mexico, and this community has had a long and complex history intertwined with that of the United States, especially in states such as California, Texas, and Arizona.

Puerto Rican

Puerto Ricans represent the second-largest Latino ethnicity, at 5.8 million, accounting for around 9.3% of the Latino population. Since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth, leading to significant migration between the island and the mainland.

Salvadoran

Tracing their roots to El Salvador, Salvadoran Americans are the third-largest Latino group, constituting roughly 4% of the Latino population. Many Salvadorans migrated to the U.S. during and following the Salvadoran Civil War in the 1980s.

Cuban and Dominican

Cuban Americans represent about 3.8% of the Latino population. Many early Cuban immigrants came after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, with subsequent "waves" in the 1980s (Mariel Boatlift) and 1990s (the Balsero Crisis).

Dominican Americans also account for about 3.8% of the Latino population. Many immigrated during periods of political instability in the Dominican Republic and have since formed significant communities, particularly in New York City.

Guatemalan

Guatemalan Americans represent about 2.8% of the Latino population. The civil war in Guatemala during the 1980s and early 1990s led to significant migration to the U.S.

Colombian

Colombian Americans account for about 2.2% of the Latino population. Many Colombian immigrants came to the U.S. due to the longstanding internal conflict in their home country.

The remaining percentages of the Latino population in the U.S. include a diverse range of smaller groups from countries such as Honduras, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina.

In terms of growth rates among Latino populations in the U.S., those with origins in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Guatemala have experienced the most rapid increase.

The Venezuelan-origin population in the U.S. experienced an explosive growth of 172% from 2010 to 2021, increasing to 660,000, marking the fastest growth rate among Latino ethnicities. Notably, three other Latino groups saw their population increase by over 50% during the same period. The Dominican population grew by 59%, while Hondurans and Guatemalans saw their numbers rise by 57% and 53%, respectively.

These significant shifts underscore the ever-evolving tapestry of Latino communities within the U.S. and their continually increasing impact on the nation's cultural, social, and economic life.

The dynamism and diversity of Latino ethnicities in the United States tell a profound story that is deeply intertwined with the history and future of the nation. As this landscape continues to evolve, it will be increasingly important to understand and appreciate the distinct narratives, cultures, and experiences that comprise the Latino community. Each demographic shift, each wave of growth, isn't just a statistic but a reflection of lives lived, dreams pursued, and contributions made to the richly diverse American society.

The vibrancy and resilience of these communities serve as a powerful testament to the enduring allure of the American dream, reminding us that the nation's strength lies in its diversity and the continual reimagining of its identity. This collective narrative emphasizes that the Latino community in the United States is not just an integral part of American society but an indispensable chapter in the ever-unfolding American story.

Amid rapid demographic changes and cultural evolution, one thing remains certain: Latino ethnicities will continue to shape the face of America, contributing to its cultural richness, economic vitality, and social dynamism. As we move forward, it's clear that the Latino community will play a significant role in defining what it means to be American in the 21st century and beyond.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.