Category: Fast Facts

According to the US Census (1), for every 100 students in P-12:

• 63 Latino students and 66 Latina students will graduate high school
• 14 Latinos and 16 Latinas will attain a Bachelor’s degree
• 4 Latinos and 5 Latinas will complete a graduate degree
• 0.9 Latinos and 0.9 Latinas will attain a professional degree
• 0.5 Latinos and 0.5 Latinas will complete a doctorate

In terms of economics, the poverty rate among Latinxs is 17%, compared to 8% for Whites, 20% for Blacks, 10% for Asians/Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders, 18% for American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 14% for those with multiple races (2).

1. U.S. Census, 2014-2018 American Community Survey (AC), 5-year estimates.
2. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2008, 2018.

According to the CDC, the leading causes of death for Latinxs are cancer, heart disease, unintentional injuries, stroke, diabetes, chronic liver disease & cirrhosis, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, influenza & pneumonia, and kidney diseases (nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis). (1)

Other issues affecting Latinxs include mental health and obesity. 38.3% of Latinx adults report having poor mental health (2-3), and 75% report that they are overweight or obese (3-4). In addition, 22.3% of Latinx adults report fair or poor health status (3-4).

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. Page last reviewed: May 5, 2015. CDC Vital Signs: Hispanic Health-To Good Health! https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/hispanic-health/index.html
2. Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2013-2017 Survey Results.
3. Data based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, an ongoing, state-based, random-digit-dialed telephone survey of non-institutionalized civilian adults aged 18 years and older. Information about BRFSS is available at http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.html
4. Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC’s) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2013-2018 Survey Results.

In Washington state, Latinxs represent 37% of the uninsured (nonelderly), compared to 45% White, 6% Black, 7% Asian/Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 2% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 3% multiple races. (1)

The uninsurance rate for nonelderly Latinxs in Washington state is 19%, compared to 5% of Whites, 11% of Blacks, 5% Asian/Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander, 17% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 5% of those with multiple races. (1)

1. Kaiser Family Foundation estimates based on the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2008-2018.

As of November 29, 2021, Latinos comprise 26% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19% of all COVID-related hospitalizations in Washington state, while Latinos only make up 13% of the state’s total population.

Overall, the rate of fully vaccinated Latinos twelve years of age and older in Washington State was 54.6% as of September 29, 2021, up from 40.5% in July 2021, representing a 33.4% increase in the number of vaccinated Latinos.

For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Data Dashboard or read our latest policy brief on COVID-19 vaccinations among Latinos in WA state.