WASHINGTON—Hispanic Heritage Month always starts on September 15, a historically significant day that marks the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Did You Know?

60.6 million — The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2019, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 18.5% of the nation’s total population.

12 — The number of states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2019 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Texas.

34,358 — The increase from 2018 to 2019 in the number of Hispanics in Maricopa, Arizona, the biggest jump in this population during this period. 

29.8 — The median age of the U.S. Hispanic population, up from 27.3 in 2010. 

^{— Source: U.S. Census Bureau}