Puerto Ricans living in US increase by estimated 700,000
March 30, 2010

by Rosario Fajardo (rfajardo@prdailysun.net)

The latest Census estimate of the Hispanic population in the mainland U.S. found that the number of Puerto Ricans living on the mainland increased by some 700,000 people between 2000 and 2008, according to the National Institute for Latino Policy.

The study found that while the number of island residents has remained stable at roughly 3.8 million, the number of Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. increased from 3.4 million in 2000, to 4.1 million in 2008. This represents an increase of 20.6 % over just eight years.

The NILP did not explain the reasons for the increase in Puerto Ricans living in the U.S., but observers have noted in recent years that many island residents are leaving Puerto Rico for the mainland because of the ongoing recession and government fiscal crisis.

The study was conducted by the American Community Survey, a separate Census program from the one that does the current population estimates.
The study found that the U.S. Latino population in 2008 was 49.3 million, counting those living in Puerto Rico, an increase of 10.3 million compared to 2000.

In terms of groups, Mexicans comprised the biggest Hispanic population, with an estimated 20.9 million people.

Puerto Ricans were in second place, with 7.9 million. This number includes the 4.1 million Puerto Ricans living in the U.S. and the 3.8 million on the island.

Third place went to Cubans, with 1.6 million people, followed by Salvadorans at 1.5 million and Dominicans with 1.2 million people.

According the 2000 Census, there were 39 million Latinos in the U.S., including those living in Puerto Rico. The largest Latino subgroups in 2000 were: Mexicans, at 20.9 million; Puerto Ricans, 7.2 million total (3.4 million on the mainland and 3.8 million on the island); Cubans, 1.2 million; and Dominicans and Salvadorans at 800,000 people each.

The Census projects that there are currently 49.7 million Latinos in the U.S., or 50.9 million including those living in Puerto Rico.