This profile provides key demographic information on Latino eligible voters1 and other major groups of eligible voters in Nebraska.2 All demographic data are based on Pew Research Center tabulations of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey.3

Hispanics in Nebraska’s Eligible Voter Population

Population and Electorate in the United States and Nebraska, 2012
  • The Hispanic population in Nebraska is the 35th largest in the nation. About 179,000 Hispanics reside in Nebraska, 0.3% of all Hispanics in the United States.
  • Nebraska’s population is 10% Hispanic, the 20th largest Hispanic statewide population share nationally.
  • There are 63,000 Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska—the 34th largest Hispanic statewide eligible voter population nationally. California ranks first with 6.4 million.
  • Some 5% of Nebraska eligible voters are Hispanic, the 23rd largest Hispanic statewide eligible voter share nationally. New Mexico ranks first with 40%.
  • Some 35% of Hispanics in Nebraska are eligible to vote, ranking Nebraska 42nd nationwide in the share of the Hispanic population that is eligible to vote. By contrast, 78% of the state’s white population is eligible to vote.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Nebraska and the United States, 2012
  • Age. About four-in-ten Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska (38%) are ages 18 to 29, higher than the share of all Latino eligible voters nationwide (33%) and the share of all Nebraska eligible voters and of all U.S. eligible voters (both 22%) in that age range.
  • Citizenship and Nativity. Among Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska, 26% are naturalized U.S. citizens. This compares with 25% of Hispanic eligible voters in the U.S., but just 3% of all eligible voters in Nebraska and 8% of eligible voters in the U.S. overall.
  • Hispanic Origin. Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska have a different Hispanic origin profile from Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Some 79% of Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska are of Mexican origin, 6% are of Puerto Rican origin, and 15% claim other Hispanic origin. Among all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide, 59% are Mexican, 14% are Puerto Rican, and 27% are of some other Hispanic origin.
  • Educational Attainment. One-quarter of Latino eligible voters in Nebraska have not completed high school, more than triple the 7% of all Nebraska eligible voters who have not completed high school and about the same as the 23% of Hispanics nationwide who have not completed high school.
  • Homeownership. About six-in-ten Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska (56%) live in owner-occupied homes, the same as the share of all Hispanic eligible voters nationwide. Greater shares of all eligible voters in Nebraska (70%) and eligible voters nationwide (67%) live in owner-occupied homes.

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Nebraska, by Race and Ethnicity

Characteristics of Eligible Voters in Nebraska and the United States, by Race and Ethnicity, 2012
  • Number of Eligible Voters. White eligible voters outnumber Hispanic eligible voters in Nebraska by 19 to 1. There are more Hispanic eligible voters (63,000) than black eligible voters (54,000).
  • Age. Latino eligible voters are younger than white and black eligible voters in Nebraska. Some 38% of Latinos are ages 18 to 29, compared with 20% of white and 25% of black eligible voters.
  • Educational Attainment. Hispanic eligible voters have lower levels of education than do white and black eligible voters in Nebraska. Some 25% of Hispanic eligible voters have not obtained a high school diploma, compared with 6% of white eligible voters and 18% of black eligible voters.
  • Homeownership. Hispanic eligible voters (56%) are more likely than black eligible voters (39%) but less likely than white eligible voters (72%) to live in owner-occupied homes in Nebraska.