SACRAMENTO – The California Latino Legislative Caucus today released an update to their report titled A Statistical Picture of Latinos in California, which analyzed key demographic, employment and social data concerning the Latino community.
Among the major findings, the report found:
- The Latino population is growing at a faster rate than the state’s general population. Latinos will make up nearly half of all Californians by 2060.
- The Latino population tends to be younger than the state’s general population, though this gap will close over the next few decades.
- A substantial achievement gap for Latino students exists in the state’s K-12 public school system.
- Latinos are more likely to have no health insurance or, if they had insurance, they are more likely to be covered by a publicly funded health coverage program such as Medi-Cal.
- 19 percent of Latinos are uninsured compared to 7 percent of non-Latinos.
- Latinos are more likely than non-Latinos to live in communities that have high levels of environmental pollution.
- Latinos tend to earn less than non-Latinos and are underrepresented in higher income brackets.
- Latino poverty rates are higher than the poverty rates of the general population and they receive public assistance at slightly higher rates than non-Latinos.
- Latinos are more likely to be food insecure than non-Latinos.
- Latinos are more likely to be employed due to their higher numbers in the labor force, but also have slightly higher unemployment rates than the general public.
- Latinos are less likely than the state’s general population to own their own home.
The California Senate Office of Research (SOR) prepared the report on behalf of the Latino Caucus. It can be viewed here or at http://latinocaucus.legislature.ca.gov/
SOR authored its initial report analyzing the status of Latinos in California in January 2014.
“While Latinos have made some progress over the past three years, unfortunately this study shows there is still much work left to do to improve the lives of California’s rapidly growing Latino population,” said Senator Ben Hueso, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We must continue to work to improve the standard of living for all Californians, especially when it comes to access to education, employment, and quality health care. A greater focus on the shared interests of economic prosperity, opportunity and an improvedquality of life not only helps Latinos, it helps the entire state of California.”
The California Latino Legislative Caucus serves as a forum for members from the State Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Latinos and develop avenues to empower the Latino Community throughout California. Following in the footsteps of generations of pioneering Latinos who settled and helped build this great state, Latino legislators united in 1973 to maximize their power notwithstanding their limited numbers. Since its creation 40 years ago, the Caucus has grown in both numbers and stature. It boasts a rich history of legislative and political success and serves as one of the most influential and strategic organizations in California.
