Puerto Ricans in Florida, the United States, and Puerto Rico, 2014 Issued April 2016 Centro DS2016US-4

In 2014, for the first time, the Puerto Rican was 17.9%, similiar to the average among all stateside Puerto Ricans (17.6%), but below the proportion among population exceeded one million in Florida. Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico (24.1%). However, a signif- Florida joined New York as the only other icant difference in education between Floridian Puerto Ricans is the relatively low population proportion with- state with more than one million Puerto out a high school diploma, 18.1%, substantially lower Ricans. The Puerto Rican population grew than both the stateside average (22.6%) and in Puerto from 3% of the Florida population in 2000 Rico (26%). to 5.1% in 2014. One out of every five • A lower proportion of Florida Puerto Ricans speak only English (28.9%) relative to all Puerto Ricans Latinos in Florida is Puerto Rican. in the U.S. (38.8%). A higher proportion of Puerto Ricans in Florida speak a language other than English Findings from an examination of recently released Census (71.1%) compared to Puerto Ricans in the U.S. as a Bureau data for 2014 reveal that: whole (61.2%). • The employment rate of Floridian Puerto Ricans • The structure of Puerto Rican employment in Florida (54.9%) is about the same for all Puerto Ricans in the by major occupational category was similar to that U.S., but much higher than it is in Puerto Rico. The of other stateside Puerto Ricans with one notable unemployment rate among Puerto Ricans in Florida is exception – Puerto Rican women in Florida were less 10%, slightly lower than the rate among all stateside present (31.6%) in the higher-wage management, Puerto Ricans of 11.6%, and much lower than the business, science, and arts occupational sector than unemployment rate in Puerto Rico — 18.9%. in Puerto Rico (39.7%). • The average earnings of full-time, year-round Puerto • Floridian Puerto Ricans have a higher median age Ricans in Florida were $45,500 for men and $35,096 (32.2 years) than all stateside Puerto Ricans (28.9 for women; both lower than the national averages years). Both the Floridian and stateside Puerto Rican among Puerto Ricans ($50,756 for men and $42,263 population median ages are lower than in Puerto for women). Full-time, year-round Puerto Ricans in Rico (38.9 years). Florida had average earnings above those in Puer- to Rico, where men averaged $32,512 and women • The proportion of all Floridian Puerto Ricans living $29,166 in earnings. in poverty was lower (22.5%) than that of all stateside Puerto Ricans (26.2%). Both population propor- • From an economic perspective Puerto Ricans in Flor- tions were lower than in Puerto Rico, where 46.6% ida accounted for $17.7 billion in purchasing power, of the total Puerto Rican population qualified as close to one-fifth of the total $97.2 billion in purchas- living in poverty. ing power of all stateside Puerto Ricans. Given their proximity to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Floridians • The proportion of households receiving cash public represent a significant potential market for trade, assistance income was 4.1% for Puerto Ricans in Flor- investments, general and medical tourism, and other ida, 6.9% for stateside Puerto Ricans as a whole, and economic activities in the island. 8.1% in Puerto Rico. • The proportion of Puerto Ricans in Florida age 25 and All in all, employment opportunities and higher earnings older having attained a bachelor’s degree or higher seem to be the main characteristics of the growing Puerto Ri- from 16.8% of the state’s total population in 2000 to can population in Florida. In general, stateside Puerto Ricans’ 24.1% in 2014. Cubans (29.1% of the Latino population) gains in employment and earnings are reflected in higher and Puerto Ricans (21%) comprised half the Latino pop- household income, higher per capita income, and lower ulation of Florida. Mexicans (14.5%), Colombians (7.3%), poverty rates than Puerto Rico’s. However, the data supports and Dominicans (4.5%) were the next largest single a view of labor market integration, where Puerto Ricans’ oc- national origin Latino populations. cupational distribution is very similar among stateside Puerto Ricans and those in Puerto Rico and is contrary to an overrep- The median age of Puerto Ricans in Florida (32.2 years) is 3.3 resentation of professionals or brain drain argument. The data years older than the median age of stateside Puerto Ricans also suggests that higher welfare benefits in the U.S. are likely (28.9 years) and 6.7 years younger than the 38.9 year medi- not a significant factor inducing migration. an age in Puerto Rico. These differences in median age are evident in the percent of the population 62 years or older Florida has one of the most diverse Latino populations in 2014. Florida had a slightly higher population proportion in the country. The Latino population in Florida grew aged 62 and older than stateside Puerto Ricans overall, 12.3%

Graph 1.A: Latino Population Florida 2014 Other 3%

South American Mexican 16.9% 14.5%

Central American 11.1% 21% Dominican Puerto Rican Republic 4.5% 29.1%

Cuban

Table 1. Puerto Rican and Latino Population in Florida 2000 2010 2014 Total 15,982,378 100% 18,801,310 100% 19,893,297 100% Not Hispanic or Latino 13,299,663 83.2% 14,577,504 77.5% 15,104,427 75.9% Hispanic or Latino 2,682,715 16.8% 4,223,806 22.5% 4,788,870 24.1% Mexican 363,925 13.6% 629,718 14.9% 693,483 14.5% Puerto Rican 482,027 18.0% 847,550 20.1% 1,006,542 21% Cuban 833,120 31.1% 1,213,438 28.7% 1,392,605 29.1% Dominican Republic 70,968 2.6% 172,451 4.1% 216,202 4.5% Central American 202,772 7.6% 432,665 10.2% 530,143 11.1% South American 301,236 11.2% 674,542 16.0% 807,465 16.9% Other 428,667 16.0% 253,442 6.0% 142,430 3%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Summary File 1, 2010 Census. Summary File 1, and 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates

2 and 9.9%, respectively. However, the proportion of Floridian age cohort in the island. Puerto Ricans aged 62 and older is considerably below that of Puerto Rico’s population (21%). The Puerto Rican population Puerto Ricans in Florida have lower English-fluency indicators in Florida is not significantly older than in other parts of the than Puerto Ricans in the U.S. as a whole. In Florida, 28.9% country, and was significantly younger than the comparable of Puerto Ricans speak only English at home, while 38.8%

Graph 2.A: Puerto Rican Educational Attainment, 25 Years and Over Bachelor’s degree or higher Some college or associate’s degree High school graduate (includes equivalency) Less than high school diploma

17.9% 17.6% 24.1%

34.1% 30% 21.6%

28.2% 29.9% 29.7%

26% 18.1% 22.6%

FLORIDA UNITED STATES PUERTO RICO

Table 2. Age, Education, and Language

Puerto Ricans 2014 Florida United States Puerto Rico* TOTAL POPULATION 1,006,542 5,266,738 3,404,122 Median age (years) 32.2 28.9 38.9 62 years and over 12.3% 9.9% 21% EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Population 25 years and over Less than high school diploma 18.1% 22.6% 26% High school graduate (includes equivalency) 29.9% 29.7% 28.2% Some college or associate’s degree 34.1% 30% 21.6% Bachelor’s degree or higher 17.9% 17.6% 24.1% Male, bachelor’s degree or higher 16.7% 15.6% 19.6% Female, bachelor’s degree or higher 19.1% 19.5% 28.1%

LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME AND ABILITY TO SPEAK ENGLISH Population 5 years and over

English only 28.9% 38.8% 5.3% Language other than English 71.1% 61.2% 94.7% Speak English less than “very well” 20.9% 17.3% 78.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates * Puerto Ricans only

3 of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. overall do so. Similarly, while graduate degrees (17.9%) than those in Puerto Rico (24.1%). 71.1% of Puerto Ricans in Florida speak a language other than Among all Puerto Ricans in the U.S. this proportion of bachelor’s English at home, only 61.2% of stateside Puerto Ricans do and graduate degree holders aged 25 and older was 17.6%, only so. About one in five (20.9%) Florida Puerto Ricans declare slightly below Florida indicators. they speak English at a less than “very well” fluency level, compared to almost one in six of all stateside Puerto Ricans The most pronounced difference was found among women: (17.3%). 28.1% of women in Puerto Rico had earned bachelor’s or graduate degrees, a significantly higher proportion than Puerto Rican One of the assertions commonly made in the media is that women in Florida (19.1%) and Puerto Rican women throughout Puerto Ricans in Florida are more educated than Puerto Ri- the U.S. (19.5%). For men, the differences were 3 and 4 percent- cans in other parts of the country and Puerto Rico. Data on the age points, respectively. educational attainment of Florida Puerto Ricans do not support this assertion. Puerto Ricans in Florida have a signicantly lower More than one in four Puerto Ricans in Florida (27.2%) population proportion 25 years and older with bachelor’s or worked in the management, business, science, and arts sector; however, this rate was lower than in Puerto Rico

Table 3. Employment and Occupations 2014 Puerto Ricans Florida United States Puerto Rico* EMPLOYMENT STATUS Population 16 years and over In labor force 61.2% 62.4% 43.7% Civilian labor force 60.9% 61.6% 43.7% Employed 54.9% 54.4% 35.4% Unemployed 10% 11.6% 18.9% Not in labor force 38.8% 37.6% 56.3% Armed Forces 0.3% 0.8% 0% OCCUPATION Civilian employed population 16 years and over Male 216,575 1,058,918 516,762 Management, business, science, and arts 23.2% 23.4% 23.9% Service occupations 22.8% 22.5% 23% Sales and office occupations 20.8% 19.6% 21.3% Construction and maintenance 15.3% 13.8% 18% Production, transportation, and moving 17.8% 20.7% 13.7% Female 193,256 999,105 456,356 Management, business, science, and arts 31.6% 33.1% 39.7% Service occupations 23.6% 24.4% 16.6% Sales and office occupations 40.1% 35.7% 38.3% Construction and maintenance 0.8% 0.6% 0.6% Production, transportation, and moving 3.9% 6.2% 4.8% CLASS OF WORKER Civilian employed population 16 years and over Private wage and salary workers 85.7% 82% 69% Government workers 10.8% 14.8% 22.5% Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business 3.5% 3.1% 8.3% VETERAN STATUS Civilian population 18 years and over Civilian veteran 6.9% 6% 3.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates * Puerto Ricans only

4 Puerto Rican Population by Counties in Florida, 2014

Puerto Ricans accounted for about 5 percent of Florida’s total population and were most concentrated in the metropolitan areas of Orlando (Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties), Tampa (Hillsborough County), Miami (Miami-Dade County), and Ft. Lauderdale (Broward County). Over 50% of the Puerto Rican population in Florida resided in or around these major urbanized areas. About one in six Puerto Ricans in Florida (17.7%) lived in Orange County compared to about one in twenty of all Florid- ians (6.2%). The Puerto Rican presence in Miami-Dade County was 10.8% compared to 37.5% for Latinos, indicating that more than one in three Latinos in Florida lives in Miami-Dade. Outside of these major urban areas, Puerto Ricans were also found in Polk and Pinellas counties, between Orlando and Tampa along the I-4 corridor.

Puerto Rican Latino Total COUNTY Population % Population % Population % Orange County 171,556 17.1% 365,873 7.6% 1,253,754 6.3% Hillsborough County 114,555 11.4% 349,652 7.3% 1,316,529 6.6% Miami-Dade County 105,448 10.5% 1,780,700 37.2% 2,741,439 13.8% Broward County 87,726 8.7% 514,924 10.8% 1,868,735 9.4% Osceola County 85,925 8.6% 154,406 3.2% 310,570 1.6% Palm Beach County 47,893 4.8% 289,520 6% 1,397,949 7% Polk County 41,906 4.2% 124,623 2.6% 634,328 4% Seminole County 40,085 4% 85,143 1.8% 442,499 2.2% Lee County 31,360 3.1% 133,116 2.8% 679,090 3.4% Duval County 27,306 2.7% 77,001 1.6% 896,599 4.5% Pinellas County 26,900 2.7% 82,549 1.7% 938,358 4.7% Volusia County 25,617 2.6% 62,389 1.3% 499,715 2.5% Pasco County 24,764 2.5% 64,861 1.4% 485,091 2.4% Brevard County 23,394 2.3% 51,995 1.1% 557,140 2.8% Marion County 17,426 1.7% 40,464 0.7% 338,626 1.7% St. Lucie County 12,182 1.2% 51,144 0.9% 291,154 1.5% Hernando County 12,002 1.2% 20,366 1.1% 176,000 0.9%

Other Counties 109,389 10.9% 541,104 11.3% 5,065,721 25.5%

Total 1,005,389 100% 4,789,830 100% 19,893,297 100%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates Notes: Total counts for populations differ depending on whether the estimates are derived from the five-year estimates or the one-year estimates of the American Community Survey.

5 PUERTO RICAN POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN FLORIDA, 2014

PUERTO RICAN POPULATION 1 dot = 500

‘06-‘14 PUERTO RICAN ARRIVALS 1 dot = 500

BOUNDARIES County City/Towns Census Tracts

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Republican Democrat

6 7 PUERTO RICAN POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, 2014 FLORIDA, CENTRAL IN COUNTIES BY POPULATION RICAN PUERTO

Republican Democrat County City/Towns Census Tracts

1 dot = 500 1 dot = 500 PUERTO RICAN RICAN PUERTO POPULATION ARRIVALS RICAN BOUNDARIES CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8 ‘06-‘14 PUERTO (31.3%) and marginally lower than the rate for all state- more, the unemployment rate in Florida, 10%, was slightly side Puerto Ricans (28.1%). As a whole this contradicts the below the stateside Puerto Rican average of 11.6%, and con- notion that Floridian Puerto Ricans were overrepresented siderably below the 18.9% unemployment rate in Puerto Rico. in the higher wage managerial sector, and is particularly evident in the case of Puerto Rican women. Only 31.6% of Besides better employment opportunities, an important Puerto Rican women in Florida work in the management factor inducing migration to the United States from Puerto sector, which is less than the average stateside rate (33.1%) Rico or interstate mobility among Puerto Ricans within the and considerably less than the rate in Puerto Rico (39.7%). United States are differences in earnings. Given that stateside Puerto Ricans are concentrated in the Northeast, where Employment rates among Florida Puerto Ricans mirrored that earnings are higher than in the South, the average earnings of stateside Puerto Ricans at 54.9% and 54.4%, respectively. of full-time, year-round workers for all stateside Puerto Labor force participation among Florida Puerto Ricans, 61.2%, Rican men ($50,756) and women ($42,263) are higher than was slightly lower than the stateside Puerto Rican average of in Florida ($45,500 and $35,096, respectively). However, 62.4%. Both figures were close to 20 percentage points higher earnings for Puerto Ricans in Florida are substantially higher than Puerto Rico’s labor force participation of 43.7%. Further- than for those in Puerto Rico, where full-time, year-round

Table 4. Income and Earnings 2014 Puerto Ricans Florida United States Puerto Rico* INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2013 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) Households 305,143 1,635,808 1,175,297 Median household income (dollars) $40,465 $39,322 $18,710 With earnings 80.2% 76.9% 54.7% Mean earnings (dollars) $54,257 $61,065 $36,407 With Social Security income 27.8% 24.1% 43.2% Mean Social Security income (dollars) $15,274 $13,727 $12,159 With Supplemental Security Income 8.3% 12.6% 0.4% Mean Supplemental Security Income (dollars) $8,015 $8,780 $10,025 With cash public assistance income 4.1% 6.9% 8.1% Mean cash public assistance income (dollars) $2,402 $3,441 $2,316 With retirement income 11.7% 10.1% 15.6% Mean retirement income (dollars) $19,627 $20,452 $15,387 With Food Stamp/SNAP benefits 25.4% 31.5% 39.7% Families 220,178 1,114,628 830,807 Median family income (dollars) $43,164 $44,499 $22,220 Married-couple family 64.1% 53.9% 56.1% Median income (dollars) $55,093 $67,129 $29,417 Male householder, no spouse present 9.4% 10.2% 9.5% Median income (dollars) $37,319 $37,513 $17,797 Female householder, no husband present 26.5% 35.9% 34.4% Median income (dollars) $26,005 $23,957 $13,554 Individuals 1,006,542 5,266,738 3,404,122 Per capita income (dollars) $17,570 $18,457 $10,960 Mean earnings (dollars) for full-time, year-round workers: Male $45,500 $50,756 $32,512 Female $35,096 $42,263 $29,166

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates * Puerto Ricans only

9 men earned $32,512 and women earned $29,166 in 2014. nearly double the total purchasing power of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico of $37.3 billion. Puerto Ricans in Florida, Household and family incomes are important indicators of with their proximity to Puerto Rico and $17.7 billion in pur- economic well-being. These indicators are similar for state- chasing power, represent a significant potential market for side Puerto Ricans, including those in Florida, but double trade, investments, tourism in general and medical tourism that of the island. Median household income was $40,465 in particular, and other economic activities in the island. for Puerto Ricans in Florida and $39,322 for other stateside Puerto Ricans, but less than half those levels for the island In 2014, the proportion of households receiving cash at $18,710. These differences are also evident in per capita public assistance income was 4.1% for Puerto Ricans in income. In 2014, per capita income for Puerto Ricans in Florida, 6.9% for other stateside Puerto Ricans, and 8.1% Florida was $17,570 and $18,457 for other stateside Puer- in Puerto Rico. In addition, the difference in the amount to Ricans, but only $10,960 for the island. households received in public assistance is only slightly higher for stateside Puerto Ricans ($3,441) while cash pub- From an economic perspective, stateside Puerto Ricans lic assistance income in Florida of $2,402 was only margin- represent 72.1% of the $134.5 billion total purchasing ally higher ($2,316) than in Puerto Rico. The proportion of power of the entire Puerto Rican community. Purchasing Puerto Rican households in Florida receiving benefits from power is defined simply as per capita income multiplied by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) the Puerto Rican population. Stateside Puerto Ricans have was 25.4% in 2014, six percentage points lower than the

Graph 4.A: Mean Earnings for Full-Time, Year-Round Puerto Rican Workers $60,000 Male Female

$50,000

$40,000

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

0 FLORIDA UNITED STATES PUERTO RICO

Graph 4.B: Puerto Rican Purchasing Power in Billions of Dollars, 2014

FLORIDA PUERTO RICO $17.7 $37.3 $79.5

OTHER UNITED STATES

10 overall 31.5% rate for Puerto Rican households in the U.S. da, 22.7% in the U.S. overall, and 42.8% in Puerto Rico. Though and fifteen percentage points lower than the 39.7% rate in stateside Puerto Ricans’ poverty rates were about half or lower Puerto Rico. than poverty rates in Puerto Rico, families with a female householder and no husband present with children under 18 years The poverty rate for all Puerto Rican families was 18% in Flori- of age exhibited a much higher incidence of poverty than the

Graph 5.A: Poverty Rates

Florida 69.7% United States Puerto Rico 59.6% 53.9% 49.7% 45.8% 42.8% 42.4% 35.8% 29.5% 25.2% 22.7% 18%

All families All families with related Female householder, Female householder children under 18 years no husband present with related children under 18 years

Table 5. Poverty 2014 Puerto Ricans Florida United States Puerto Rico* POVERTY RATES All families 18% 22.7% 42.8% With related children under 18 years 25.2% 29.5% 53.9% With related children under 5 years only 18.4% 24.6% 57.1% Married-couple family 10.5% 9.7% 30.9% With related children under 18 years 13.1% 11.3% 35.5% With related children under 5 years only 6.7% 5.9% 33.9% Female householder, no husband present, family 35.8% 42.4% 59.6% With related children under 18 years 45.8% 49.7% 69.7% With related children under 5 years only 37.3% 49.4% 75.7% All people 22.5% 26.2% 46.6% Under 18 years 30.8% 33.4% 58.7% Related children under 18 years 30.5% 33.1% 58.6% Related children under 5 years 33.1% 34.7% 62.8% Related children 5 to 17 years 29.6% 32.4% 57.3% 18 years and over 19.2% 22.8% 43.2% 18 to 64 years 20.1% 22.8% 43.8% 65 years and over 13.7% 22.4% 41% People in families 20.1% 23.6% 44.6% Unrelated individuals 15 years and over 35.7% 38.5% 58.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates * Puerto Ricans only 11 average family. For Puerto Rican female-headed families with median monthly owner costs with a mortgage are $1,247 children the rates were 45.8% in Florida, 49.7% for all stateside for Puerto Ricans in Florida, and $1,545 for other stateside Puerto Ricans, and 69.7% in Puerto Rico. These are inordinately Puerto Ricans. A comparable cost is $873 in Puerto Rico. high poverty rates by any measure or comparative context. These relative prices and ownership costs are reflected in ownership rates. Puerto Ricans in Florida have higher rates Housing is a primary determinant of the cost of living. In of home ownership than stateside Puerto Ricans. The Cen- general, the South has a lower cost of home ownership sus data reveals that Puerto Ricans in Florida have a 47.1% than the Northeast or other parts of the country. The rate of owner-occupied housing units, while the compa- median value of owner-occupied housing for Puerto Ricans rable rate for stateside Puerto Ricans is 36%. The home in Florida was $145,200, compared to $175,900 for other ownership rate in Puerto Rico is much higher, at 68.7%. stateside Puerto Ricans, and $119,500 in Puerto Rico. The

Table 6. Housing and Health Insurance 2014

Puerto Ricans Florida United States Puerto Rico* HOUSING Owner-occupied housing units 47.1% 36% 68.7% Monthly owner costs as a percentage of household income in the past 12 months Less than 30 percent 58.3% 62.8% 52.6% 30 percent or more 41.7% 37.2% 47.4% Owner-occupied housing units Median value (dollars) $145,200 $175,900 $119,500 Median selected monthly owner costs $1,247 $1,545 $873 with a mortgage (dollars) HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Civilian noninstitutionalized population With private health insurance 50% 51.6% 38% With public coverage 38.8% 43.5% 62.9% No health insurance coverage 17.9% 11.5% 5.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates * Puerto Ricans only

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