Latinos in Virginia:

Demographics
Dr. Manuel A. Pérez-Quiñones
Department of Computer Science
Graduate School

Dr. Carlos Evia

Department of English

Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus

 Caveats
• Hispanic Immigrants and Citizens in Virginia, Amanda
Walters, presentation to VALHEN, February 22, 2008,
Demographics and Workforce Section, Weldon Cooper
Center for Publish Service, UVA
• http://www.coopercenter.org/demographics/sitefiles/
documents/pdfs/numberscount/2008hispanics.pdf
• Pew Hispanic Center
• http://pewhispanic.org/
 Hispanics in the US
Mexican Puerto Rican
Cubans Dominican
Central American South American
• According to the 2000 Ohter
Census
58.5%
60%
• Traditionally grouped by
regions 45%

• Today, we are everywhere 30%

19.6%
17.3%
15%
3.5% 2.2% 4.8% 3.8%
0%
2000 Census
 Are you ...
• a Latino?
• a Hispanic?
• a Chicano?
• an immigrant?
• a child of immigrants?
• a citizen?
 Differences
• Not all Latinos are
created equal

• The “largest minority

group” in the US is
actually quite diverse

• And not all Latinos

dance salsa
 Differences

• Based on country of
nationality/heritage,
Latinos have different
goals and purposes

• Even US-born Latinos

do not follow the same
traditions
 Similarities
• Language (Spanish and/
or Spanglish)

• Religion

• Family

• Non-religious values
and morals
 Latino Identity
• Is stronger in second or third generation Latinos

• Similarities based on needs and concerns unite those who

were originally different
 Latino Waves in VA
• 1960-1980: Educated, upper middle class Cubans (coming
from Florida)

• 1990-2001: Mostly poor Salvadoreans (refugees from

Hurricane Mitch) and diverse Puerto Ricans (coming from
New York)

• 2002-present: Risk-defying, poor Mexicans (coming from

North Carolina)
 Myths

• Latinos are all immigrants, right?

• Latinos don’t speak English and don’t want
to learn.
• What is the Latino socioeconomic status?
• Are Latinos Black or White? Are they people
of color?
Immigration

Hispanics Growth and Share

Source: 2006 American Community Survey, 1980-2000 Censuses

500 K
6.1%
400 K
4.7%
300 K

200 K
2.5%
100 K 1.5%

0
1980 1990 2000 2006

4 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Immigration

Years in the U.S.

Source: 2006 American Community Survey

80 K

60 K
44%
40 K

23% 21%
20 K

7% 5%
0
0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+

Years of Residence

Most Hispanic immigrants arrived in the U.S. within the

last 15 years.
9 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Immigration

Hispanics by Citizenship
Source: 2006 American Community Survey, 1980-2000 Censuses

Immigrant

Naturalized
Citizen 3% 12%
500 K
Immigrant
400 K
U.S. Citizen
300 K U.S. Born
Citizen
200 K
85%
100 K
0
79% 64% 60% 60% Hispanic
1980 1990 2000 2006 Children 0-17

8 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Immigration

Local Hispanic Population

Source: 2006 U.S. Census Bureau Estimates

Manassas Park (30%)

Manassas City (27%)
10% and up Winchester(11%) Prince William (19%)
Arlington (16%)
5-9.9% Fairfax City (13%)
Harrisonburg (13%) Alexandria (13%)
2-4.9% Fairfax County (13%)
0-1.9%

Galax (14%)

5 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Immigration

Age Structure
Source: 2006 American Community Survey
80+
Male Female
60-69

40-49

80+ 20-29

60-69 0-9
15% 5% 5% 15%
40-49
Hispanic Immigrants
Male 20-29 Female

0-9
15% 5% 5% 15%
Hispanic Citizens 10 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
English

English Proficiency
Source: 2006 American Community Survey

How Well Do Hispanic Does English Proficiency

Immigrants Speak English? Improve Over Time?
Limited Proficiency
Not At All
21%
Proficient
47% 69%
Not Well 44% 39% 36% 28%
32%
0-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 21+
Years Living in the U.S.

Proficient 94%
Hispanic
Citizens { Not Well
4%
Not At All 2%
11 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Language Spoken at Home,
Younger than 18, 2007 Only
English

Language other than 18%

32%

English at home

Only English at home

English spoken very well 50%
English spoken less than well
Language Spoken at Home,
Native born, younger than 18
Only
English

14%
Language other than
36%
English at home

Only English at home 50%

English spoken very well
English spoken less than well
Language Spoken at Home,
Foreign born, younger than 18
Only
4% English
Language other than 43%

English at home

Only English at home

54%
English spoken very well
English spoken less than well
Language Spoken at Home,
18 and older, 2007 Only
English
19%

Language other than

English at home
46%

35%
Only English at home
English spoken very well
English spoken less than well
Language Spoken at Home,
Native born, 18 and older Only
English

13%
Language other than
English at home 37%

Only English at home 50%

English spoken very well
English spoken less than well
Language Spoken at Home,
Foreign born, 18 and older Only
English
4%
Language other than
English at home

73% 24%

Only English at home

English spoken very well
English spoken less than well
 Latinos in School
• Majority of Latino undergraduates (53%) are enrolled
in two-year colleges
• A higher percentage of Latino students (45%) are
enrolled part time than either African Americans
(40%) or whites (39%).
• Nearly 60% of Latinos attend non-selective colleges
and universities.
• The nation’s best prepared Latino undergraduates
enroll at the nation’s most selective colleges and
universities at the same rate as their white peers.
What do Latinos study?

• The top three disciplines for the bachelor's

degrees of Latinos are business, social
sciences, and education.
• The top disciplines for associate's degrees
are liberal arts, business, and the health
professions.
Socioeconomic

Educational Attainment
Source: 2006 American Community Survey

Graduate Degree 15% 6% 13%

9%
20% 13% 19%
Bachelor's Degree
29% 25%
Some College 31%

HS Graduate 27%
20%
43%
15% 15%
Less than HS Diploma
Hispanic Hispanic Total
Citizens Immigrants Population

12 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Occupations
Source: 2006 American Community Survey

Percent of Hispanic Workers in

Management, Each Occupation Sector
Business, & Finance
Professional
Service 6%
Sales
Office & Administrative Support
Farming, Fishing, & Forestry 14%
14%
Construction & Extraction 15%
15%
Installation & Repair 4%
Production 4%
Share of Labor Force
Transportation & Moving
Military 6% 3% Hispanic Citizens 2.9%
Hispanic Hispanic Hispanic Immigrants 3.4%
Citizens Immigrants
14 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Labor Force Participation

Source: 2006 American Community Survey

65%
Hispanic 90%
Immigrants
80%

68%
Hispanic 81%
Female
Citizens 74% Male
Total
62%
Total 74%
Population
68%

Percent in the Labor Force

13 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Poverty
Source: 2006 American Community Survey

Percent Living In Poverty

10% 12% 15%

Total Hispanic Hispanic

Population Citizens Immigrants

15 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Health Insurance
Source: 2006 Current Population Survey

Percent Without Health Insurance In 2006

14%
27%

57%

Total Hispanic Hispanic

Population Citizens Immigrants

18 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Income & Housing

Source: 2006 American Community Survey

$62,800
$55,500
$48,300
Percent
Spent 23% 22% 31%
on
Housing

Total Population Hispanic Citizens Hispanic Immigrants

Median Household Income

19 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Socioeconomic

Living Arrangements
Source: 2006 American Community Survey

Average Household
Size
Percent of Households
that Include Unrelated 3.6
Households with More Person(s)
2.8
than 1.5 Persons per 2.5
Bedroom
27%

Total Hispanic Hispanic

33% 15% Population Citizens Immigrants
9%
Total Hispanic Hispanic
13% Population Citizens Immigrants
7%
Total Hispanic Hispanic
Population Citizens Immigrants

20 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Are Latinos Black or White?
 Castes
• Social Castes in Latin America*
• español, indio, negro, mestizo, castizo,
coyote, chamizo torna atrás, mulato,
morisco, albino, torna atrás, chino,
albarazado, zambo (lobo)
• It is not either or, much more complicated
than that.

* Ilona Katzeu, NYU

Summary

Hispanic Immigrants

•! 40 percent of Hispanics in Virginia are immigrants, including

both authorized and unauthorized; the remaining 60 percent are
U.S. citizens.

•! Hispanic immigrants are less educated, poorer, more likely to

lack health insurance, and live in larger households than the
overall population.

•! Despite their lower income levels, Hispanic immigrants and

their children receive little welfare other than WIC and school
lunch subsidies.

24 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Summary

Hispanic Citizens

•! Hispanic citizens speak English well and adults are slightly

better educated than the overall Virginia population.

•! Households headed by Hispanic citizens have higher

household income than Virginia’s households overall.

•! Hispanic citizens have similar occupation distribution to the

overall population and are over-represented in Virginia’s military.

25 DEMOGRAPHICS & WORKFORCE SECTION

Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
 VT’s Fall Entering Undergraduate Demographics
African-American Hispanic/Latino Native American

1400
1243
1205
1179
1081 1069
1050 976 967
929
864 847

700
586

479 503
419 436
410 392
383 381 384
350

56 58 52 54 47 54 54 52 55 69

0
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
 What do Latinos Study at VT?
CLAHS CALS CAUS CNR COE
COS CVM INTCOLL PCOB
700
108

84
525 63
78 74
83 106

70 72 77
68 72
60 69
67 59 176
350 47
69
21 42 153
24 42 63
57 31 56
60 59
52 49 136
130 118 120
132 122
107 100
175 46 46

28 34 40 40 39
29 32 34 112
105
79 70 73 78 80
59 65 65

0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
 6-yr Graduation Rate:
VT & Peer, Total & Hispanics
2004 2005 2006 2007
Ins*tu*on T H T H T H T H
VT 74 70 76 67 79 80 77 78
USC 82 80 83 83 84 81 85 84
University  of  Florida 78 74 79 78 79 77 81 80
Stony  Brook  University 58 42 59 55 59 52 59 56
U  of  Minnesota-­‐Twin  CiCes 56 42 61 47 61 48 63 59
U  of  Michigan-­‐Ann  Arbor 87 79 86 81 87 79 88 83
Cornell  University 92 84 93 90 92 89 92 86
...
 Ins*tu*on  Name %

How does
The  University  of  Texas  at  AusCn 17.78%
University  of  Florida 13.52%
University  of  Southern  California 13.12%
Texas  A  &  M  University

VT compare
12.47%
University  of  California-­‐Davis 11.92%
University  of  California-­‐Berkeley 11.52%
Rutgers  University-­‐New  Brunswick 8.42%

with peer Stony  Brook  University

University  of  Illinois  at  Urbana-­‐Champaign
University  of  Colorado  at  Boulder
8.34%
6.89%
6.33%

institutions?
University  of  Maryland-­‐College  Park 5.87%
Cornell  University 5.54%
University  of  Washington-­‐SeaUle  Campus 4.89%
University  of  Michigan-­‐Ann  Arbor 4.65%
Pennsylvania  State  University-­‐Main  Campus 3.49%
SUNY  at  Buffalo 3.46%
University  of  Wisconsin-­‐Madison 3.22%
Michigan  State  University 2.88%
Purdue  University-­‐Main  Campus 2.86%
2007 % of Hispanic of Ohio  State  University-­‐Main  Campus
North  Carolina  State  University  at  Raleigh
2.63%
2.63%
Total Enrollment Iowa  State  University 2.59%
Virginia  Tech 2.55%
University  of  Minnesota-­‐Twin  CiCes 2.12%
University  of  Missouri-­‐Columbia 1.76%
University  of  PiUsburgh-­‐PiUsburgh  Campus 1.29%
 Myths
• Latinos are all immigrants?
• No.
• Latinos don’t speak English and don’t want to learn.
• False.
• What is the Latino socioeconomic status?
• All over the map.
• Are Latinos Black or White?
• Yes and more.
What can higher education do?
• More targeted recruitment in Northern Virginia.
• Spanish content on the university website.
• More support for families that ask questions like:
• Where is the Latino community on campus? Where can we eat
tostones or plátanos or empanadas or pupusas?
• Curriculum at universities - take advantage of bilingual students,
more bilingual opportunities.
• Increase acceptance of bilingual literature, music, publications,
culture.
• Cross institutional collaboration to offer more mentoring
opportunities and more role models.
• Broaden the spectrum of how Latinos fit in US society.
Questions?

Carlos Evia,
cevia@vt.edu

Manuel Pérez-Quiñones
perez@vt.edu

… or you can find us in