October 11, 08

NEWS / New Census Bureau Data Provide a Portrait of the Puerto Rico Population

The U.S. Census Bureau today released important new data for Puerto Rico on social, economic, housing and demographic characteristics, as well as for geographic areas with populations of 65,000 or more. The 2007 data cover topics ranging from language to education, from family size to work commute, the Puerto Rico Community Survey (PRCS) provides annual data that help decision makers and planners better prepare for and respond to change.

Some data highlights from the 2007 PRCS one-year estimates include:

Educational Attainment

* In 2007, the percentage of the population age 25 to 34 who had a high school diploma (82.3) was more than double the percentage of high school diploma holders among those 65 and older (37.1 percent). Likewise, about 27 percent of this younger generation had bachelor’s degrees or higher, compared with about one-in-10 of those 65 and over.
* Among people 25 years and over, 66 percent had a high school diploma in 2007 compared with 60 percent from Census 2000.
* The percentage of the population 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree was higher in 2007 (16 percent) than Census 2000 (14 percent). The same pattern was observed for those with a graduate or professional degree; 5.6 percent in 2007 compared with 4.7 percent from Census 2000.

Marital Status

* The percent of the population 15 and older that was married has dropped in the last seven years. The unmarried population (including those separated, divorced, widowed and never married) has increased.
* In 2007, 40.1 percent of the population 15 years and older was married compared with 52 percent from Census 2000. On the other hand, 36.6 percent had never been married compared with 28.0 percent from Census 2000.

Housing

* The median housing value was $104,400.
* In 2007, the proportion of owner-occupied housing units was 74.3 percent compared with 72.9 percent from Census 2000. (No significant differences were observed for ownership between the years 2005, 2006 and 2007).

Income

* The median household income was $17,741 in 2007. For families, it was $20,900. In married-couple families, it was $26,930.
* About 45.5 percent of the population was in poverty.
* People 25 and over, with higher levels of education were less likely to be in poverty. Of people with bachelor’s degrees, 11.2 percent were in poverty, compared with 62.5 percent of those who did not graduate from high school.

Puerto Rico Community Survey one-year estimates are available for all areas with populations of 65,000 or more. This includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 12 municipios and seven cities. On Dec. 9, the Census Bureau will release the first three-year estimates for Puerto Rico. Data will be available for all areas with populations of 20,000 or more. This will include an additional 53 municipios and nine cities

The Puerto Rico Community Survey is a powerful new tool designed to produce current local data for communities on a wide range of issues. The survey provides current demographic, housing, social and economic information about Puerto Rico every year — information previously only available once every 10 years.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/american_community_survey_acs/012657.html