American Indians: Census Facts, 2005

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

From the U.S. Census Bureau

by U.S. Census Bureau

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% 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.

696,600
The American Indian and Alaska Native population in California as of July 1, 2005, the highest total of any state in the nation. California was followed by Oklahoma (401,100) and Arizona (334,700). About 36,500 American Indians and Alaska Natives were added to Arizona's population between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2005. That is the largest numeric increase of any state in the nation.

About 1-in-5
The proportion of Alaska's population identified as American Indian and Alaska Native as of July 1, 2005, the highest rate for this race group of any state in the nation. Alaska was followed by Oklahoma and New Mexico (11% each).

26%
Percentage of Alaska's preschooler population that was American Indian and Alaska Native, as of July 1, 2005—the highest proportion of any state.

154,000
The number of American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles County, Calif., as of July 1, 2005. Los Angeles led all of the nation's counties in the number of people of this racial category. Maricopa County, Ariz., added about 18,000 people to this group between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2005, leading the nation's counties in this category.

40%
Percentage of the population in the Farmington, N.M., metropolitan area that was American Indian and Alaska Native, as of 2003. Farmington led all metro areas, with only Flagstaff, Ariz.—at 31%—anywhere close.

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.

3.41
Average number of people in an American Indian and Alaska Native family. This is larger than the average size of all families (3.18 people).

Housing

56%
The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who own their own home.

$95,454
Median value of homes owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Languages

25%
Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 5 years and older who speak a language other than English at home.

Education

76%
The percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives age 25 and older who have at least a high school diploma. Also, 14% have at least a bachelor's degree.

Businesses

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

20,380
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif., combined statistical area, making that area number one in the metro category. Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms (13,061).

38,125
Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms in California, which led the nation's states. Oklahoma, Texas, New York, and Florida followed.

Nearly 3-in-10
Ratio of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms which operated in construction and other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).

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

New York; Los Angeles; and Gallup, N.M.
The three cities with the largest number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-owned firms, with 7,134; 5,767; and 2,642, respectively.

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.

Veterans

170,000
The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces.

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.