The U.S. population of American Indians dropped 4.3 percent between 2000 and 2006. They currently represent only 0.8 percent of the entire U.S. population.

While the overall population is shrinking, certain areas have seen a spike in American Indians. Texas had a 130 percent increase in the American Indian population from 1990 to 2007. The American Indian population in Mississippi grew more than 77 percent during the same period.

And they're taking their dollars with them.

As we begin American Indian Heritage Month, consider this: In 2007, the states with the largest American Indian markets were California, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Washington, Alaska, Florida and New York, totaling $35.5 billion. These states claim 62 percent of the American Indian population's $57.1 billion in buying power.

Other states have also seen a rise in this group's population. West Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia have all witnessed more than 300 percent growth in the past 10 years.

Here are more interesting facts about American Indians:

·         In 2007, the 10 states with the largest American Indian markets were, in order: California ($8.5 billion), Oklahoma ($5.9 billion), Texas ($4 billion), Arizona ($3.8 billion), New Mexico ($2.7 billion), North Carolina ($2.3 billion), Washington ($2.1 billion), Alaska ($2.1 billion), Florida ($2.1 billion), and New York ($2 billion); 44 percent of American Indian buying power was concentrated in the five largest American Indian markets. (Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth)

·         From 1990 to 2007, the 10 states with the most growth of American Indian buying power were, in order: West Virginia (419 percent), Mississippi (368 percent), Texas (350 percent), Florida (336 percent), Tennessee (323 percent), Georgia (313 percent), Kentucky (284 percent), Colorado (278 percent), Iowa (274 percent), and South Carolina (263 percent). (Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth)

·         In 2007, the 10 states with the largest American Indian shares of total buying power were, in order: Alaska (9.1 percent), Oklahoma (5.4 percent), New Mexico (4.8 percent), South Dakota (3.5 percent), Montana (3.4 percent), North Dakota (2.6 percent), Arizona (2.1 percent), Wyoming (1.2 percent), Nevada (1 percent), and Washington (1 percent). (Source: Selig Center for Economic Growth)

·         American Indians represent 0.6 percent of the U.S. work force; 0.3 percent are American Indian men and 0.3 percent are American Indian women. (Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

·         American Indians represent 0.4 percent of U.S. managers. (Source: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

·         A total of 12.1 percent of the American Indian population attained a bachelor's degree or higher in 2000; the national average is 24.4 percent. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

·         A total of 14.8 percent of the American Indian population were veterans in 2000, compared with 14.5 percent of the total U.S. population. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

·         A total of 38.5 percent of the American Indian population has disabilities, compared with 27.3 percent of the total U.S. population. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau)

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