Following Monday's "Day Without Immigrants," which many feared would shut down the U.S. economy, with millions protesting the criminalization of illegals, Cinco de Mayo, a popular Mexican holiday, continues the nation's focus on the Hispanic culture within the U.S.

On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated French invaders at the Battle of Puebla. Since then Cinco de Mayo, along with Mexican Independence Day, September 16, is one of our south-of-the-border neighbor's most important holidays celebrating the Mexican heritage.

According to the U.S. Census, there are about 25.9 million U.S. residents of Mexican origin in 2004. These residents constitute about 9 percent of the nation's total population. Of those, 16.6 million people of Mexican origin reside either in California (10.1 million) or Texas (6.5 million). People of Mexican origin make up nearly one-third of the residents of these two states.

About 15.7 million people of Mexican descent were born in the United States, while approximately 10.3 million are foreign-born residents from Mexico. About 3-in-10 foreign-born people are from Mexico.

The Mexican population is younger (25.3 years) than the U.S. population as a whole (36.2 years) and tends to have larger families (4.1 people) than all U.S. families (3.2.) Thirty-seven percent of households with a householder of Mexican origin consists of a married couple with children. For all U.S. households, 22 percent are married with children.

About 50 percent of those of Mexican origin own their homes.

Those of Mexican heritage have a median household income of about $35,185, and about 23.6 percent live in poverty.

Nearly 69 percent of people of Mexican origin are in the labor force. Businesses owned by people of Mexican descent numbered about 698,314 in 2002; among these firms, 275,055 were in California and 234,732 in Texas. Sales receipts for firms owned by those of Mexican descent were about $96.5 billion in 2002.

About 1.1 million people of Mexican descent age 25 or higher have a bachelor's degree or higher education, while approximately 15 percent of people of Mexican heritage work in managerial, professional or related occupations.

The value of trade goods with Mexico is only second to that of trade with Canada. About $290.2 billion was traded between Mexico and the U.S. in 2005. For more in foreign trade statistics, please click here.

Published: May 5, 2006

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