CENSUS 2000: The Latino Population and the Transformation of Metropolitan New York

Authors

Laird Bergad, Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino StudiesFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

Introduction: This study examines demographic and socioeconomic aspects of the Latino population of the New York City area according to the 2000 census.

Methods: Data on Latinos and other racial/ethnic groups were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, reorganized for public use by the Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, IPUMSusa. Cases in the dataset were weighted and analyzed to produce population estimates.

Results: New York City’s Latino population increased from 23.7% of all New Yorkers in 1990 to 27% in 2000. If growth rates between 1990 and 2000 continue for the remainder of the decade, Latinos will make up over 30% of the total NYC population in 2010. There was a significant relative decline of the City’s Puerto Rican population as a percentage of all Latinos from 49.5% in 1990 to 37.6% in 2000, because of a slight drop in the total number of Puerto Ricans and the growth of other Latino nationalities. The Dominican population increased numerically and as a percentage of all Latinos from 19.1% in 1990 to 24.7% in 2000. If this trend continues by 2010 Dominicans may become the City’s largest national Latino group. Mexicans were the fastest growing Latino national group between 1990 and 2000. If Mexican growth rates continue, not a certainty because of possible changes in migration patterns both from Mexico and within the U.S., Mexicans may challenge Dominicans and Puerto Ricans as the most numerous nationality.

Discussion: The Latino population of New York City continues to grow at an exponential rate.

Comments

For additional information about this collection see http://clacls.gc.cuny.edu/

Citation information: Bergad, L. (2003). CENSUS 2000: The Latino Population and the Transformation of Metropolitan New York. New York, NY: Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center.