The Hispanic Population Grew Faster than the Non-Hispanic Population

Oregon’s total population reached 3.97 million in 2014, an increase of 11.2 percent (+400,776) since 2004. Among different race and ethnic groups, minority groups grew much faster than the statewide rate of 11.2 percent, and those reporting Hispanic ethnicity grew faster than non-Hispanics.

In 2014, 12.5 percent (496,789) of Oregonians were of Hispanic ethnicity, which was less than the 17.4 percent nationwide. This was, however, an increase from the 9.6 percent figure for the 2004 Oregon population. Over the same period, the entire Oregon Hispanic population grew by 44.6 percent.

Oregonians of Hispanic ethnicity increased in population in all metro areas between 2004 and 2014. Only Salem had a higher percentage of Hispanics (23.2%) than the statewide 12.5 percent. Corvallis had the lowest percentage (7.0%) of Hispanics relative to all other Oregon metro areas. The Hispanic population in Oregon’s five counties of the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro MSA was about 229,958, which accounted for 46 percent of the statewide Hispanic population.

Data from the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program distinguish between race and ethnicity. In studying population trends in Oregon and across the United States, it is important to know that the term Hispanic is in reference to ethnicity. Identifying as a certain ethnicity is separate from race identification. For example, one who identifies as an American Indian can be of Hispanic or non-Hispanic ethnicity.

To learn more about the population growth among minority groups, read Employment Economist's Felicia Bechtoldt's article "Population Growth Faster Among Minority Groups".