Colorado

Ethnic groups

Once the sole inhabitants of the state, American Indians in 2000 numbered 44,241, up from 28,000 in 1990. The black population is also small, 165,063, or 3.8% in 2000; the percentage for Denver, however, was considerably higher (11.1% in 2000). Of far greater importance to the state's history, culture, and economy are its Hispanic and Latino residents, of whom there were 735,601 in 2000 (17.1%), up from 424,000 (under 13%) in 1990. Among residents of Denver, 31.7% were Hispanic or Latino in 2000. Of over 95,213 Asians (2.2%), up from 60,000 in 1990, 11,571 were Japanese (down from 15,198 in 1990); 16,395 Korean (up from 12,490 in 1990); 15,457 Vietnamese (more than double the 1990 total of 6,679); 15,658 Chinese (up from 9,117 in 1990); and 8,941 Filipino. The population of Pacific Islanders was estimated at 4,621 in 2000. In all, 369,903 residents, or 8.6% of the state population, were foreign born in 2000.