Editing Veracruz (section)

=== Largest cities===
{{Largest cities
| country = Veracruz
| stat_ref = Source:<ref name=VERACRUZINEGI>{{cite web |url=https://inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/ccpv/2020/tabulados/cpv2020_b_ver_01_poblacion.xlsx |title=Censo Veracruz 2020 |access-date=April 24, 2023 |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801095109/https://inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/ccpv/2020/tabulados/cpv2020_b_ver_01_poblacion.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name = 
| div_link = Municipalities of Veracruz{{!}}Municipality
| city_1 = Veracruz, Veracruz{{!}}Veracruz| div_1 = Veracruz, Veracruz{{!}}Veracruz/ Boca del Río| pop_1 = 537,963 | img_1 = Fachada_IIV_(cropped).jpg
| city_2 = Xalapa-Enríquez | div_2 = Xalapa-Enríquez{{!}}Xalapa| pop_2 = 443,063| img_2 = Zona Centro, Centro, 91000 Xalapa Enríquez, Ver., Mexico - panoramio.jpg
| city_3 = Coatzacoalcos| div_3 =Coatzacoalcos| pop_3 = 212,540| img_3 = Centro Cotzacoalcos - panoramio.jpg
| city_4 = Poza Rica| div_4 = Poza Rica| pop_4 =180,057|img_4 = Mural de Pablo O´Higgins.jpg
| city_5 = Minatitlán, Veracruz{{!}}Minatitlán| div_5 = Minatitlán, Veracruz{{!}}Minatitlán/ Cosoleacaque| pop_5 =149,192
| city_6 = Córdoba, Veracruz{{!}}Córdoba | div_6 = Córdoba, Veracruz{{!}}Córdoba | pop_6 = 139,075
| city_7 = Orizaba | div_7 = Orizaba| pop_7 = 120,500
| city_8 = Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano | div_8 = Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano{{!}}Tuxpan| pop_8 = 89,557
| city_9 = Martínez de la Torre | div_9 = Martínez de la Torre| pop_9 = 64,692
| city_10 = San Andrés Tuxtla| div_10 = San Andrés Tuxtla| pop_10 = 64,445
}}
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote =
|1895<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geohive.com/cntry/subspop/mx-pop.aspx |title=Mexico: extended population list |publisher=GeoHive |access-date=July 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311141056/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/subspop/mx-pop.aspx |archive-date=March 11, 2012 }}</ref> | 863220
|1900 | 981030
|1910 | 1132859
|1921 | 1159935
|1930 | 1377293
|1940 | 1619338
|1950 | 2040231
|1960 | 2727899
|1970 | 3815422
|1980 | 5387680
|1990 | 6228239
|1995 | 6737324
|2000 | 6908975
|2005 | 7110214
|2010 | 7643194
|2015 | 8112505
|2020<ref name="inegi.org.mx"/> | 8062579
}}

The state of Veracruz, especially its port, has been a crossroads for various cultures since the very early colonial period. The port of Veracruz has brought cargo, sailors, seamen, and slaves from various parts of the world, especially from the [[Caribbean]] and Europe. The state has indigenous cultural influences mixed with those from Europe, Africa and the [[wikt:Afro-Caribbean|Afro-Caribbean]]. These can be best seen in the music, the culinary traditions and in the people themselves.<ref name="khursh"/>

The number of ethnic communities in the state has been calculated at 2,062. The most numerous include the [[Nahua peoples|Nahuas]], Totonacs, Huastecs, Popolucs, [[Zapotec peoples|Zapoteca]]s, [[Chinanteca (people)|Chinanteca]]s, Otomis, Mazatecas, Tepehuas, Mixtecas, Zoques, [[Mixe people|Mixe]]s, Mayas and [[Tzotzil people|Tzotzil]]s, all indigenous groups. The largest are Nahuas, who make up over half of the indigenous population. Most native communities can be found in 68 municipalities especially in [[Tehuipango]], [[Mixtla de Altamirano]], [[Astacinga]], [[Soledad Atzompa]], [[Atlahuilco]], [[Tequila, Veracruz|Tequila]], Tlaquilpan, Los Reyes, Magdalena, San Andres Tenejapan, Tantoyuca, Zongolica, Chicontepec, Papantla, Ixhuatlán de Madero, Soteapan, Playa Vicente, Mecayapan y Coyutla, Benito Juárez, Coxquihi, Espinal, Filomeno Mata, Ixcatepec, Mecatlán and Zozocolco de Hidalgo. In 1998, about 10% of the population spoke an indigenous language; however, this does not take into account all indigenous peoples. The census of 2005 counted 605,135 as speaking an indigenous language.<ref name="perfilsoc">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/ |title=Perfil Sociodemografico |year=2005 |work=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave |publisher=Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Socio-demographic profile |access-date=August 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616191401/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/ |archive-date=June 16, 2011 }}</ref>

There are also small immigrant communities of Spaniards, Italians, Basque and [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]].<ref name="atractcul"/> Africans were first brought to Mexico through slavery to the Veracruz port. At one point, they outnumbered Europeans and a significant number ran away from haciendas and plantations to form their own communities, sometimes allied with indigenous groups. One such rebellion was led by Yanga, who successfully negotiated a free African community with Spanish authorities in 1609. Like other groups, many of African descent would intermarry with other groups, with the category of "mulatto" existing in the old colonial caste system for those with African blood. Today, the vast majority of [[Afro-Mexican]]s in Veracruz and other parts of the country are spread out and intermixed with the rest of the population.<ref name="africanroots">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1935-african-roots-stretch-deep-into-mexico |title=African Roots Stretch Deep Into Mexico |author=Patrisia Gonzales and Roberto Rodriguez |date=March 3, 1996 |publisher=Mexconnect |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819085749/http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/1935-african-roots-stretch-deep-into-mexico |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the 2020 Census, 2.67% of Veracruz's population identified as Black, Afro-Mexican, or of African descent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.inegi.org.mx/programas/ccpv/2020/tableros/panorama/ |title=Panorama sociodemográfico de México |website=www.inegi.org.mx |access-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126013823/https://www.inegi.org.mx/programas/ccpv/2020/tableros/panorama/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

With a population of 7,110,214 (2005), Veracruz is the third most populous entity in the country, after the Federal District of Mexico City and the [[State of Mexico]]. Population growth has slowed in the state in the last decades, due to lower birthrates and the exodus of migrants, mostly men. Women outnumber men. One reason for the decline in birthrates is the elevation of education levels, especially among women. Another is urbanization, with about one-third of the state's population living in urban centers, especially Veracruz, Xalapa, Coatzacoalcos, Minatitlán and Papantla. Most (90%) of the state's communities, outside of municipal seats have fewer than 500 people and contain only 21% of the total population. The migration of men outside the state has put more women into the state's workforce.<ref name="perfilsoc"/> Approximately 75% of the population is under 45 years of age and 30% under the age of 15.<ref name="habitantes">{{cite web |url=http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ver/poblacion/default.aspx?tema=me&e=30 |title=Veracruz Ignacio de la Llave Número de habitantes |year=2005 |publisher=[[INEGI]] |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Veracruz Ignacio de la Llave Number of inhabitants |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723191612/http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ver/poblacion/default.aspx?tema=me&e=30 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Life expectancy is just under the norm for the rest of the country. The overwhelming majority of people in the state are Catholic, however, there is a significant Protestant minority and a number who profess the Jewish faith.<ref name="perfilsoc"/>