The nearly 19 million Latino children (from birth to age 17) living in the United States comprise 25 percent of the nation’s total child population. The size of the Latino child population, however, varies by state. In this data point, we describe the share and distribution of the Latino child population in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, we analyze the age distribution of the Latino child population, detailing the proportion of Latino children that are infants and toddlers, preschoolers, school-age, and adolescents in each state. These estimates can inform potential demand for a wide range of policies and programs for children from birth onwards, such as family leave, early childhood care and education, child health insurance, and public school policies.
Latino share of the child population by state
Our new analysis of the American Community Survey (ACS) 2017–2021 5-Year Data finds that Latino children are most populous in the Southwestern states and comprise a sizeable proportion (10% or more) of the child population in 35 states and the District of Columbia.c
- Latino children make up more than 40 percent of the child population in five states: New Mexico (62%) and California (52%) are highest, but Latino children also comprise over 40 percent of all children in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.
- Latino children account for 25 to 39 percent of the child population in seven more states: Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Illinois, and New York.
- Latino children account for 10 to nearly 25 percent of the child population in the District of Columbia and in 23 states: Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Kansas, Massachusetts, Idaho, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, North Carolina, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Wyoming, Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Alaska, and South Carolina.
- Latino children account for less than 10 percent of the child population in 15 states: Minnesota, Michigan, Alabama, South Dakota, Louisiana, Missouri, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Kentucky, Montana, Mississippi, Maine, Vermont, and West Virginia.