AI/AN Population up 1%

Here’s news from the U.S. Census Bureau. The American Indian and Alaska Native population rose by 1 percent or 45,000, from 2006 to 2007.

California, with 689,000, had the largest population of American Indians and Alaska Natives; next was Oklahoma with 394,000 and Arizona (335,000).

Texas had the largest numerical increase (8,300) since July 1, 2006, followed by Arizona (4,900) and Florida (2,800).

In Alaska, American Indians and Alaska Natives made up the highest proportion of the total population (18 percent), with Oklahoma (11 percent)and New Mexico (10 percent) next.

The single-race American Indian and Alaska Native population in 2007 had a median age of 30.3, compared with the population as a whole at 36.6. About 27 percent of the American Indian and Alaska Native population was younger than 18, compared with 25 percent of the total population.

American Indians and Alaska Natives were the largest minority group in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.