Facts for Features: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: November 2023

October 25, 2023

Press Release Number CB23-FF.10

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994 to recognize what is now called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” This Facts for Features presents statistics for the American Indian and Alaska Native population, one of the six major race categories defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

The following facts are possible thanks to responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.

Did You Know?

1.5 million

The number of people who identified as Cherokee in the 2020 Census. Cherokee was the largest American Indian alone or in any combination population group in the United States in 2020. The Navajo Nation was the most common American Indian alone response with 315,086 people.

Source:

2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A

9,026

The number of people who identified as Yup’ik (Yup'ik Eskimo) in the 2020 Census. Yup’ik (Yup'ik Eskimo) was the largest Alaska Native alone group in the United States. Tlingit was the largest Alaska Native alone or in any combination group with 22,601 people.

Source:

2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A

9.7 million

The nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination in 2020.

Source:

2020 Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics

324

The number of distinct, federally recognized American Indian reservations in 2022, including federal reservations and off-reservation trust lands.

Source:

American Indian Reservations, Trust Lands, and Native Hawaiian Home Lands

221

The number of Alaska Native village statistical areas.

Source:

American Indian Reservations, Statistical Areas, and Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas

574

The number of federally recognized Indian tribes in 2023.

Source:

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

122,579

The number of single-race American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. armed forces in 2022.

Source:

2022 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates

More Stats

A detailed profile of the American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with one or more other races is available from 2020 Census and the 2022 American Community Survey. Statistics include:

Families.
Housing.
Languages.
Education.
Jobs.
Income and poverty.
Health insurance.

Monday, November 6, 2023