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Census Bureau Facts
In marking the observance of
American Indian Heritage Month in
November, the U.S. Census
Bureau’s Public Information Office
culled the following data from
previously released reports on
the American Indian and Alaska
Native population:
Income and Poverty
American Indians and Alaska
Natives had a median household
income of $30,784, based on a
three-year average (1997-1999).
This is higher than for African
Americans ($26,608) and not
statistically different from
Hispanics ($29,110), but lower
than for non-Hispanic whites
($43,287) and Asians/Pacific
Islanders ($48,614).
Based on a three-year average
(1997-1999), the poverty rate for
American Indians and Alaska
Natives was 25.9 percent. This is
higher than the poverty rates for
non-Hispanic whites (8.2 percent)
and Asians/Pacific Islanders (12.4
percent), but not statistically
different from the rates for African
Americans (25.4 percent) and
Hispanics (25.1 percent).
Health Insurance
Based on a three-year average
(1997-1999), 27.1 percent of
American Indians and Alaska
Natives lack health insurance
coverage. Their rate is significantly
higher than that of African
Americans (21.6 percent), Asians/
Pacific Islanders (20.9 percent), and
non-Hispanic whites (11.6 percent),
but lower than that of Hispanics
(34.3 percent).
Voting
Nationwide, it was expected
that 1.6 million American Indians
and Alaska Natives were of voting
age on Election Day on Nov. 7.
California (240,000), Oklahoma
(170,000), Arizona (159,000), and
16
New Mexico (103,000) had the
highest numbers.
Households and
Families
Between July 1, 2000, and
July I, 2010, the Census Bureau
projects that the number of
American Indian and Alaska Native
households in the United States
will climb from 754,180
to 906,036.
On July 1, 2000, according
to projections made in 1995, 74
percent of the nation’s American
Indian and Alaska Native
households
were
family
households. Of these families, 65
percent were maintained by
married couples, 26 percent by
women with no husband present,
and 9 percent by men with no wife
present. The typical American
Indian and Alaska Native family
was made up of 3.57 people, larger
than the average 3.12 people for
families of all races.
Tribal Council member Rosemary Landis presents a check to the Siletz
men’s softball team from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Ad Hoc Committee.
Save on your Electric Bill
The most electricity in your home is used by electric heat, air
conditioners, electric hot water, and your electric dryer. Get an automatic
thermostat. Those long showers are nice, but cost you extra money. Do
you really need to run the dryer that often? Make sure you don’t have bad
breakers or loose connections at the breaker.
Depending where you live, heating and cooling are the largest
contributors to most household energy bills and are the best places to
save money. Make sure your home is well insulated and then make sure
your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently. Get your central
systems checked annually.
To keep equipment running efficiently, keep heating and cooling
air ducts clean and outdoor equipment free from dirt and other debris.
Education
In the fall of 1996, 134,(XX)
non-Hispanic American Indians
were enrolled in the nation’s
colleges and universities, up from
84,000 in the fall of 1980. Of these
individuals, about half attended
two-year schools, nearly 6 in 10
were women, more than 8 in 10
went to public schools, and more
than 9 in 10 were undergraduates.
During the 1995-96 school
year, about 15,(XX) of the nation’s
American
Indians
and
Alaska Natives received college
degrees, either an associate’s,
bachelor’s, master’s, doctor’s, or
other professional.
Population
Distribution
The nation’s American Indian
and Alaska Native resident
(See Census on page 17)
Where to Install Smoke Detectors
Here is some information on
where to install smoke detectors.
Local codes may vary, so
check first.
Place wall-mounted units so
the top of the detector 4 to 12
inches from the ceiling. Place
ceiling-mounted detectors at least
4 inches from the nearest wall. In
a room with a pitched ceiling,
mount the detector at or near the
ceiling’s highest point.
Place
detectors
near
bedrooms, within 15 feet of
sleeping areas. The National Fire
Alarm Code, developed by NFPA,
requires a smoke detector in each
sleeping
room
for
new
construction. It’s a good idea to
place one on each level of the
house. Also, additional detectors
can be installed near the furnace
and washer and dryer. Because
smoke rises, mount detectors high
on a wall or on the ceiling.
Place them in an area away
from air vents. The basement
ceiling near the steps to the first
level is a good location. But don’t
install the detector at the top of the
basement stairs where there is a
closed door. Dead air space near the
door may prevent smoke from
reaching the detector.
There is more to checking a
smoke detector than just pushing
the test button. Dust and even small
insects can sometimes block a
photoeye type or ionization type of
smoke detector. Clean them and
change the batteries periodically. If
they are hard-wired, make sure they
have a battery backup.
Smoke detectors should not
be taken lightly. They could save
your life.