Native American Quick Facts

U.S. Census

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2006

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month. Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994.

Population
4.5 million
As of July 1, 2005, the estimated population of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including those of more than one race. They made up 1.5 percent of the total population.

43,000
Increase in the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005.

30.7
Median age of the American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2005, younger than the median of 36.2 years for the population as a whole. About 1.3 million American Indians and Alaska Natives were under 18, and 336,000 were 65 or older.

Families and Children
525,800
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native families. Of these:
* 312,400 are married-couple families, including those with children.
* 154,900 are married couples with their own children, under the age of 18.
(Source: American FactFinder, from 2004 American Community Survey)

3.41
Average number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family.
The average size of all families is3.18 people.
(Source: 2004 American Community Survey)

Housing
56%
The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who own their own home.
(Source: 2004 American Community Survey)

$95,454
Median value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.
(Source: 2004 American Community Survey)

Education
76%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives age 25 and older who have at least a high school diploma. Also, 14 percent have at least a bachelor's degree.
(Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

Businesses
$26.9 billion
Receipts for American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned businesses in 2002. These businesses numbered 201,387.

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 percent of the total number of American Indian and Alaska Native-owned firms and more than 64 percent 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.

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Jobs - Management and Professional
26%
The percentage of civilian employed single-race American Indian and Alaska Native persons age 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations.
(Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

Veterans
170,000
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
(Source: 2005 American Community Survey)

Income and Poverty
$33,627
The median income of households where the householder reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race. The median income is based on a three-year average (2003-2005).

25%
The poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race, based on a three-year average.

Health Insurance
30%
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.

Public Information Office: 301-763-3030 or e-mail: pio@census.gov.