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Contact: Census Bureau, 301-763-3030  WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 

The following are Facts for Features on American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month from the U.S. Census Bureau: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.

Population4.5 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.  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/006808.html

43,000 -- Increase in the nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population from July 1, 2004 to July 1, 2005.  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/006808.html

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.  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/006808.html

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 percent each).

26 percent -- 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.  Source for the preceding three statements:  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/007263.html

40 percent -- 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 percent anywhere close.  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/miscellaneous/007137.html

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, 2004 American Community Survey)

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). (Source: American FactFinder, from 2004 American Community Survey)

Housing

56 percent -- The percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native households who own their own home. (Source: American FactFinder, from 2004 American Community Survey)

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

Languages

25 percent -- Percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives 5 years and older who speak a language other than English at home. (Source: American FactFinder, from 2004 American Community Survey)

Education

76 percent -- 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: American FactFinder, from 2005 American Community Survey)

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 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.

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.

For more information on the data in this section:  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownership/007013.html

Jobs -- Management and Professional

26 percent -- 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: American FactFinder, from 2005 American Community Survey)

Veterans

170,000 -- The number of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces. (Source: American FactFinder, from 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 percent -- The poverty rate of people who reported they were American Indian and Alaska Native and no other race, based on a three-year average.

For information on the data in this section:  www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/007419.html

Health Insurance

30 percent -- 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.

 www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/007419.html

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Editor's note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error. Questions or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau's Public Information Office: telephone: 301- 763-3030; fax: 301-457-3670; or e-mail: pio@census.gov. 

/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/