Transitions in the Hispanic Population: Mapping the Territory

• Activity Number: 97
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 12, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics*
• Author(s): Betsy Guzman*+
• Affiliation(s): U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Hispanic ; Latino ; GIS

Abstract

The Latino population increased by 57.9% between 1990 and 2000, and comprised 12.5% of the U.S. population in 2000 (Guzmán 2001). Further, every region experienced high Latino growth over the decade: 81% in the Midwest, 71% in the South, 52% in the West, and 40% in the Northeast (Guzmán 2001). Hispanic growth also varied by state, ranging from 33.7% in Arkansas to 15.8% in Louisiana (U.S. Census Bureau 2001). New technology developed during the decade facilitates understanding of these changes in the U.S. population. Geographical information systems (GIS) applications have become popular for demonstrating population patterns. Indeed, the mainstream media employed mapping technology to convey information from Census 2000 to readers. In addition, this technology allows for more convincing visual explorations of relationships between variables than in the past. We use 1990 and 2000 state-level census data to identify Hispanic population growth and change by state. Moreover, we use this technology to explore factors associated with alterations in the Hispanic population.