Behind the headline numbers, a profound demographic evolution is unfolding as nearly 10 million people in the U.S. now identify as Native American or Alaska Native alone or in combination, revealing a complex portrait of growth, diversity, and enduring challenge.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2020 Census, the Native American and Alaska Native alone or in combination population in the United States was 9,666,058, representing 2.9% of the total U.S. population
- From 2010 to 2020, the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population grew by 35.7% to 800,194, but Native American alone grew slower at 8.5% to 3,727,135
- The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population identifying as AI/AN alone increased by 160% from 1990 to 2010 due to improved self-identification and multiracial reporting
- From 2010-2020, AI/AN population in Oklahoma grew 25% to 523,360
- Arizona hosts the second-largest AI/AN population at 391,620 in 2020, up 18% from 2010
- New Mexico's AI/AN population is 219,160 (10.3% of state pop), highest state percentage
- The median age of AI/AN population is 32.7 years, younger than US average of 38.9
- 52.3% of AI/AN are female, slightly higher than male 47.7%
- Children under 18 make up 28% of AI/AN population vs 22% US average
- AI/AN poverty rate is 25.4% vs 10.5% US average in 2022
- Median household income for AI/AN is $49,073 vs $70,784 national in 2022
- Unemployment rate among AI/AN is 8.4% vs 3.6% US average in 2023
- Life expectancy for AI/AN is 71.8 years vs 78.8 US average (2019)
- AI/AN infant mortality rate is 9.1 per 1,000 births vs 5.6 national (2021)
- Diabetes prevalence among AI/AN adults is 14.5% vs 9.4% US (2022)
The Native American population is growing rapidly and diversifying, yet continues to face significant socioeconomic and health disparities.
Demographic Characteristics
- The median age of AI/AN population is 32.7 years, younger than US average of 38.9
- 52.3% of AI/AN are female, slightly higher than male 47.7%
- Children under 18 make up 28% of AI/AN population vs 22% US average
- 10.4% of AI/AN are 65+, lower than 16.8% national average
- Multiracial AI/AN (two+ races) comprise 61% of total AI/AN identifiers
- Among AI/AN alone, 50.8% speak English only, 27% speak other language
- Foreign-born AI/AN are only 1.8% vs 13.7% US average
- AI/AN households average 3.15 persons, higher than US 2.53
- 15.2% of AI/AN live in linguistically isolated households
- Urban AI/AN median age is 34.2, reservation 29.8
- 6.8% of AI/AN identify as LGBTQ+, higher than national 5.5%
- Fertility rate for AI/AN women is 1,720 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44
- 60% of AI/AN women aged 18-44 have children under 18 at home
- AI/AN veterans number 140,000 active/reserve
- AI/AN marital status: 40% married, 35% never married
- Divorce rate among AI/AN 12.5% vs 10.2% US
- AI/AN disability rate 15.8% vs 12.7% national
- Single-parent households AI/AN 45% vs 27% US
- AI/AN speak 170 languages, Navajo most common at 150,000 speakers
- 8.2% of AI/AN serve in military vs 5.3% US adults
Demographic Characteristics Interpretation
The statistics paint a portrait of a youthful, culturally resilient, and family-centered community, carrying a unique set of contemporary strengths and burdens that distinguish it sharply from the national average.
Geographic Distribution
- From 2010-2020, AI/AN population in Oklahoma grew 25% to 523,360
- Arizona hosts the second-largest AI/AN population at 391,620 in 2020, up 18% from 2010
- New Mexico's AI/AN population is 219,160 (10.3% of state pop), highest state percentage
- Alaska's AI/AN alone population is 143,949 (19.4% of state)
- California has 757,628 AI/AN alone or combo, largest absolute number
- 22% of AI/AN live on reservations or trust lands, totaling 1.3 million in 2020
- The Navajo Nation reservation spans 27,000 sq miles with 399,567 enrolled members
- Urban areas house 70% of AI/AN, with top cities: NYC (125k), LA (94k), Phoenix (92k)
- South Dakota has 18.9% AI/AN population (150,575), third highest percentage
- Montana's AI/AN pop is 7.5% (86,120), with major reservations like Blackfeet
- North Carolina saw 50% growth in AI/AN to 184,493 due to Lumbee recognition
- Texas AI/AN population grew 68% to 255,568 from 2010-2020
- 40 states have over 100,000 AI/AN residents, led by CA, OK, AZ
- Total US tribal land base is 56.2 million acres housing 1% of AI/AN pop
- 37% of AI/AN live in three states: CA, OK, AZ (1.67 million total)
- Cherokee Nation has 460,000 enrolled members, largest tribe
- AI/AN pop in Nevada grew 45% to 88,440 (2020)
- Washington state AI/AN 181,234 (2.4%)
- Michigan AI/AN 108,870, growth 20%
- Florida AI/AN 99,239, up 50%
- Minnesota AI/AN 91,592 (1.6%)
- Wisconsin AI/AN 80,150 (1.4%)
- 78% of AI/AN live off-reservation, primarily in suburbs
- Largest urban concentration: Anchorage, AK with 42,000 AI/AN
- AI/AN pop growth in Colorado 55% to 80,000 (2020)
- Oregon AI/AN 88,912 (2.1%)
- Kansas AI/AN 47,670, growth 30%
Geographic Distribution Interpretation
This surge in the Native American population across every corner of the U.S.—from booming cities to resilient reservations—paints a powerful portrait of a people not merely counting numbers, but making their numbers count.
Health Statistics
- Life expectancy for AI/AN is 71.8 years vs 78.8 US average (2019)
- AI/AN infant mortality rate is 9.1 per 1,000 births vs 5.6 national (2021)
- Diabetes prevalence among AI/AN adults is 14.5% vs 9.4% US (2022)
- Heart disease death rate for AI/AN is 200.5 per 100,000 vs 165.5 national
- Obesity rate among AI/AN is 43.2% vs 32.5% US adults
- Suicide rate for AI/AN youth 10-24 is 25.6 per 100,000 vs 11.8 national
- COVID-19 death rate for AI/AN was 27% higher than white rate (2021)
- Alcohol-induced death rate for AI/AN is 55.8 per 100,000 vs 12.7 national
- Cancer incidence rate for AI/AN is 327 per 100,000 vs 442 national (lower screening)
- Only 58% of AI/AN adults have health insurance vs 92% US (2022)
- Drug overdose death rate for AI/AN is 65.2 per 100,000 vs 32.4 US (2021)
- Chronic liver disease death rate AI/AN 41.6 per 100,000 vs 14.7 national
- TB incidence AI/AN 5.2 per 100,000 vs 2.4 national
- HIV diagnosis rate AI/AN 10.3 per 100,000 vs 11.3 US (2021)
- Asthma prevalence AI/AN children 12.1% vs 7.5% national
- Maternal mortality AI/AN 32.9 per 100,000 vs 23.8 US (2021)
- Unintentional injury death rate AI/AN 83.8 per 100,000 vs 48.0 national
- Oral cancer death rate AI/AN 4.2 per 100,000 vs 2.5 US
- IHS serves 2.6 million AI/AN with 26 hospitals
- Lowest life expectancy on Pine Ridge Reservation: 66.6 years
Health Statistics Interpretation
These stark statistics reveal that being born Native American in the U.S. is not just a cultural identity, but a pre-existing condition dictated by systemic neglect and historical trauma.
Population Size and Trends
- In the 2020 Census, the Native American and Alaska Native alone or in combination population in the United States was 9,666,058, representing 2.9% of the total U.S. population
- From 2010 to 2020, the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population grew by 35.7% to 800,194, but Native American alone grew slower at 8.5% to 3,727,135
- The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population identifying as AI/AN alone increased by 160% from 1990 to 2010 due to improved self-identification and multiracial reporting
- In 2022, the total enrolled membership in federally recognized tribes was approximately 2.9 million, up from 2.5 million in 2010
- The Native American population in the US is projected to reach 10.2 million by 2030, growing at 1.2% annually
- Between 2000 and 2020, the multiracial Native American population surged 276% to 5,938,923
- AI/AN alone population in 2020 was 3.7 million, but alone or in combination was 9.7 million, showing 2.6 times multiplier effect
- From 1990 to 2020, the reported AI/AN population tripled from 2 million to 6.8 million including combinations
- In 2023 estimates, Native American population stands at 7.2 million self-identifying
- Tribal enrollment grew 22% from 2000 to 2020, reaching 2.9 million members in 574 federally recognized tribes
- The AI/AN population aged 65+ is expected to double by 2060 to 1.1 million
- Urban Indian population constitutes 78% of total AI/AN, estimated at 7.5 million in 2022
- In 2020 Census, Oklahoma had 523,360 AI/AN alone or combo (13% state pop)
- AI/AN population growth rate 2010-2020 was 85% for multiracial identifiers
Population Size and Trends Interpretation
The numbers paint a fascinating story: while tribal enrollment grows steadily, the reported Native American population is skyrocketing, not from a baby boom, but from a long-overdue reckoning of identity as millions more Americans now proudly claim their heritage.
Socioeconomic Status
- AI/AN poverty rate is 25.4% vs 10.5% US average in 2022
- Median household income for AI/AN is $49,073 vs $70,784 national in 2022
- Unemployment rate among AI/AN is 8.4% vs 3.6% US average in 2023
- Homeownership rate for AI/AN is 58.2% lower than 65.8% national
- 28% of AI/AN households receive SNAP benefits vs 12% US
- Bachelor's degree attainment among AI/AN 25+ is 17.2% vs 33.7% US
- AI/AN labor force participation rate is 60.1% vs 62.5% national
- Per capita income for AI/AN is $15,978 vs $41,261 US average
- 42% of AI/AN live below 200% FPL vs 25% US
- AI/AN business ownership grew 68% to 57,000 firms from 2007-2012
- High school completion rate for AI/AN 25+ is 89.2% vs 89.4% US
- AI/AN STEM employment is 6.5% of workforce vs 10% national
- AI/AN college enrollment rate 28% vs 41% national ages 18-24
- Professional degree attainment AI/AN 1.2% vs 2.8% US 25+
- AI/AN in management occupations 6.1% vs 11.5% US
- Public assistance receipt 9.2% AI/AN households vs 3.1% US
- Housing overcrowding 12% AI/AN vs 3% US
- AI/AN homelessness rate 2.5x national average
Socioeconomic Status Interpretation
Despite a resilient 68% surge in entrepreneurship and near-parity in high school completion, the persistent chasm in virtually every other economic and social metric reveals a national ledger still steeped in the debts of historical injustice.
Sources & References
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