• In the United States, as shown in the 2000 U.S. Census, 298,197 citizens claim Navajo ethnicity. 168,000 Navajos live on Navajo Nation tribal land. The Navajo Nation is the largest recognized tribe in the country.
• The Navajo Nation is poor. 2000 census figures note that 56.1% of Navajo people live below the poverty level. Unemployment reaches 43.65%. Per capita income is $6,217. In comparison, per capita income in Santa Fe – New Mexico's State Capital – is $25,454.
• The U.S. Census reports that in 2000, 33.8% of Navajo homes lack complete plumbing, while 30.2% do not have a complete kitchen facility. There is no telephone service in 62.7% of Navajo households.

Navajo families receiving Family-to-Family assistance are widely separated by distance. Most live in areas with no paved roads, and many have no electricity in their homes.

A large percentage of families consist of grandparents raising grandchildren; all clients of the Navajo Agency on Aging are 60 years or older. Many of these individuals speak only the Navajo language and cannot write or read in English. Many have received no formal education.

There is little work available for these individuals. Any income tends to come from Navajo Nation general assistance, Social Security, and private-sector pensions.