New numbers show that Hispanics give birth to one in every five babies in Washington state, outpacing all other ethnic and racial groups.

According to U.S. census and state health statistics, the birth rate among Hispanics, 103 babies for every 1,000 women of childbearing age, is almost twice than any other group in the state and reflects nationwide trends.

The combination of high Hispanic birth rates, high rates of immigration and lower birth rates among whites has led to projections by the U.S. Census Bureau that by mid-century, nonwhites will be a majority of the population nationwide. In Washington, minorities could account for 32 percent of the state’s population by 2030, compared with 23 percent at present.

In May, the census bureau reported that Hispanics were the largest and fastest-growing minority group in Washington state from July 2000 to July 2007. The number of people who claimed Hispanic ethnicity grew by over 36 percent in that period, from 446,000 to 610,000.

Hispanics were just under 10 percent of the total population of 6.4 million. (AP)