( CNN ) -- The growth of the Hispanic population in the United States is outstripping pre-census estimates , the Pew Hispanic Center report released Tuesday says . `` The number of Hispanics counted in the 2010 Census has been larger than expected in most states for which the Census Bureau has released detailed population totals so far , '' the report says . The Census Bureau has released its tally of Hispanics in 33 states . `` Those states ' combined Census 2010 total of 38.7 million Hispanics was higher by 590,000 people , '' the report says . Data on the remaining states will be released by the end of March . Last month , a Pew Hispanic Center report said a two-year decline in the unauthorized immigrant population in the United States had leveled off . A rebounding economy may be a counteracting force , one of the study 's authors , Jeffrey S. Passel , said . `` What we 've seen historically is that when employment opportunities have increased , we 've seen increased flows '' to the United States , he said . The economy in 2009 was better than in 2008 , and indications are that the numbers will be even better for 2010 , hinting that illegal immigration numbers could potentially creep back up , he said .
The number of Hispanics is 'larger than expected ' in most states . The Census Bureau has released its tally of Hispanics in 33 states . There are an estimated 38.7 million Hispanics in those states .