Final answer:
As of 2020, around 61.3 million Latinos were estimated to be living in the United States, making up about 18.5 percent of the total U.S. population. This group is the largest ethnic minority in the nation and includes diverse origins, primarily Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban ancestry.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2020, an estimated 18.5 percent of the total U.S. population self-identified as Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019. Considering the total population of the United States was approximately 331 million in 2020, this percentage would suggest there were about 61.3 million Latinos in the United States at that time. The Hispanic population has seen significant growth over the decades, increasing from less than five percent in 1970 to becoming the largest ethnic minority in the U.S., surpassing African Americans as of the 2000 Census.
The impact of the growing Latino population is multifaceted, influencing cultural dynamics, political power, and economic trends. It's important to note that the concept of being Hispanic or Latino can encompass diverse origins, with approximately 75 percent of this demographic reporting Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban ancestry as of the 2010 U.S. Census.