U.S. Hispanic population up 43 percent

WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Hispanic population grew by 43 percent from 2000 to 2010, four times the national growth rate, the Census Bureau said.

The bureau looked at Hispanic population growth in a report released in Washington Thursday. Among the findings:

-- Nearly 75 percent of U.S. Hispanics were of Mexican, Puerto Rican or Cuban origin.

-- Mexicans represented 63 percent of the total U.S. Hispanic population, up from 58 percent in 2000.

-- The Hispanic population grew in every region of the United States, and people of Mexican origin were the largest Hispanic group in 40 states, more than half of those in the South and West, two states in the Northeast and all 12 states in the Midwest.

-- More than half the U.S. Hispanic population resided in California, Texas and Florida.

The Hispanic population rose by 15.2 million during the decade to 31.8 million. Total U.S. population was 308.7 million in 2010.

In a separate report on the 2010 census, the bureau said the U.S. population grew older and the male population grew faster than the female population during the 2000s, with the median age of Americans reaching 37.2 compared to 35.3 in 2000.

All 50 states, but not the District of Columbia, saw an increase in median age.

The male population rose 9.9 percent from 2000 to 2010 and the female population increased 9.5 percent, but females still outnumbered males by 5.2 million.

The middle-aged baby boom population between 45 and 64 increased 31.5 percent to 37.2 million, 26.4 percent of the total population.

The 18 to 44 cohort grew just 0.6 percent to 112.8 million, 36.5 percent of the population, while seniors 65 and older grew 15.1 percent to 40.3 million, 13 percent of the total U.S. population.

The Census Bureau will release more details of the 2010 state population later this year.