The nation's Hispanic population reached 41.3 million as of July 1, 2004, up 3.6 percent from the previous year, according to national estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hispanics accounted for about one-half of the national population growth of 2.9 million between July 1, 2003 and July 1, 2004. The Hispanic growth rate of 3.6 percent over the 12-month period was more than three times that of the total population (1.0 percent).

The Census Bureau estimates the number of Asians in the United States at 14.0 million, up 3.4 percent.

Following Asians in rate of growth were native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders (1.7 percent, to 980,000), blacks (1.3 percent, to 39.2 million), American Indians and Alaska natives (1.0 percent, to 4.4 million), and whites (0.8 percent, to 239.9 million). The population of non-Hispanic whites who indicated no other race increased 0.3 percent, to 197.8 million.

Working-age adults (18- to 64-year-olds) totaled 184.0 million. There were 36.3 million people age 65 and over. Nationally, 12 percent of the total population was 65 years and over.