Demographic Characteristics
Age distribution provides an insight into the economic contribution that Latinos are likely to make. A higher proportion of the Latino population is under age 18 when compared to non-Latino white groups. This suggests that in the near term, Latinos are likely to impose relatively higher fiscal costs, similar to other minority groups; but in the medium and longer term, they are likely to begin working, paying taxes, and supporting the retiring non-Latino white population in the state. In contrast, a significantly lower percentage of Latinos were age 65 and above (5.5 percent) than non-Latino whites (13.0 percent). These percentages suggest that Latinos should not be incurring costs for the elderly care that the state needs to address in the near term.
