Cubans in the U.S.: Third Largest Hispanic Group, No Applause Needed

Over 2.5 million Cubans live in the U.S., making them the third-largest Hispanic group after Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. Most came in waves — the exodus after 1959, the Mariel boatlift in the 80s, and more recently, those fleeing economic collapse and blackouts. Many settled in Miami, but now you’ll find them in Tampa, Los Angeles, Houston, and even New Jersey. They run bodegas, nail salons, auto shops, and small restaurants where the cafecito never runs out. Cubans have the highest rate of college degrees among Hispanic groups, and they’re more likely to own homes than the national average. They vote. They send remittances. They keep abuela’s recipes alive in the kitchen and on Instagram. Their hustle isn’t loud, but it’s steady — built on familia, not flashy pitches.

Why this matters for us: When Cubans thrive, they don’t just open shops — they rebuild whole blocks with the same grit that got them here.