Percentage-wise, the Hispanic population is the fastest growing demographic segment of today’s populace in the United States. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population in America increased from 22.4 million in 1990 to 35.3 million in 2000, or by 57.9%. The Bureau estimates that in 2004 the Hispanic population increased to 40.4 million, an additional 14.5% increase over the 2000 figure.

Additionally, the percentage of Hispanic population is growing faster in the South than elsewhere in the United States. This trend began in the early 1990s and continues to the present. Six southern states have experienced the highest percentage rates of increase (over 200%), including North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Alabama.

Trends in the United States

From 1990 to 2000, the Hispanic population increased in the United States by 57.9%, from 22.4 million to 35.3 million. Mexicans increased more than any other ethnic sub-group or by 52.9%, from 13.5 million to 20.6 million. Puerto Ricans, Cubans and other Hispanics increased substantially also.

Because of these varied growth rates, the percent distribution of the Hispanic population by type changed during the decade of the 1990s. Specifically, by the year 2000, Mexicans comprised 58% of all Hispanics in the United States. Puerto Ricans followed at 9.6% and Cubans were 3.5%.

Undocumented immigrants from Mexico living in the United States are most numerous among Hispanic sub-groups and should be noted when considering Hispanic population figures. Estimates vary for 2002 from 9.3 million to 5.3 million, according to the Migration Information Source.*

Trends in South Carolina

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing demographic in much of South Carolina compared to anywhere else in the United States.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2005 3% of the population in South Carolina (135,041) was Hispanic. This is an increase of 42% from 2000 (95,076). Furthermore, the majority of Latinos in South Carolina were of Mexican descent (62%). The next largest Latino group was "other Hispanic" (26%), followed by Puerto Ricans (10%) and Cubans (2%).

Hispanics are concentrated in few counties. In 2005, 40% of Hispanics resided in 4 counties: Greenville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, and Richland. [South Carolina Population Report, Budget and Control Board, Office of Statistics, 2007]

*Information taken from "The Growing Hispanic Population in South Carolina: Trends and Issues" by Richard D. Young