Pew Research: Latino Voices Are Shaping America's Future

The Latino population in the U.S. has nearly doubled since 2000—rising from 35.3 million to 68 million in just two decades. Today, one in five Americans is Latino, making this group the second-largest racial or ethnic community in the country. And they’ve fueled more than half of all U.S. population growth since 2000.

But this is more than a population shift. It’s a story of youth, diversity, resilience, and belonging.

Latinos are younger than any other major racial or ethnic group in the U.S.—with a median age of just 31.2. Most are U.S. citizens. And while immigration once drove Latino growth, births have become the main driver, with 32% of all babies born in the U.S. now having a Latino parent.

This community traces its roots to over a dozen countries, from Mexico and Puerto Rico to Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. It’s also becoming more widespread—once concentrated in just a few states, Latino communities now thrive in every region of the country.

Key social trends are also shifting:

• English proficiency is rising (71% now speak English fluently)

• Higher education is on the rise, especially among Latina women

• Religious affiliation is diversifying, with fewer identifying as Catholic and more as unaffiliated

What does this mean for democracy? Everything.

Latino communities are not a monolith—but they are a force. One that continues to shape our economy, culture, classrooms, and elections.

To build a future that reflects the people it serves, we must listen to—and lead with—the voices of all Americans.