Minority Population

Among the states, New Mexico's percentage of minority population as of July 1, 2006, ranks second, tied with California at 57%, according to Bureau of the Census figures. Hawaii leads with 75%, followed by the District of Columbia, which is not a state, at 68%. Texas, at 52%, was the only other state with a minority population beating 42%.
New Mexico has the highest proportion of Hispanics, well ahead Texas and California.
Alaska had the highest proportion of American Indians and Alaska Natives, the latter being no surprise, at 18% of the total population with New Mexico and Oklahoma next at 11% each.
The table showing the numbers is posted in the economic data section at www.capitolreportnm.com.
The numbers also report that New Mexico gained 135,553 new residents between census time in 2000 and July 1, 2006 when the state's estimated population was 1,954,599. Hispanics accounted for 96,162, or 71%, of the new New Mexicans.
The Census reports New Mexico had 242,600 people over the age of 64 in 2006.