Press Archive

Census 2000: Dramatic Growth in Nevada Latino Population

San Antonio, TX - "The results of Census 2000 for the state of Nevada confirmed the growing presence and rapid growth of Latinos throughout the state," said Antonio Gonzalez, President of the William C. Velásquez Institute, "while the unadjusted numbers are not an accurate representation of the Latino community and its growth, the 216.6% increase is impressive." With the overall population of Nevada increasing 66.3% to 1,998,257 those identifying as either Hispanic or Latino represented 19.7% of the population at 393,970, up from 124,419, or 10.4%. Furthermore, Latinos represented 33.8% of the total population growth in the state during the '90's.

2000 TOTAL/LATINO POPULATION BY TOP 5 LATINO POPULATED COUNTIES

Source: 2000 & 1990 Census

"Latino growth has been evident throughout the state," said Robert Aguinaga, Redistricting Coordinator for WCVI. "On a county level, the top three concentrations of the Latino population are in Clark, Washoe, and Elko," said Aguinaga. With the largest Latino population, Clark County is home to slightly over 300,000 Latinos, representing 22.0% of the county's total population. Washoe County is second with its Latino population at 56,301 or 16.6% of the total county population.

In Oregon, Latinos have made substantial demographic gains. Of the political representation, at the federal level, there are 2 congressional districts. In '90, none were Latino majority seats. At the state legislative level, in '90, 0 out of the 42 State Assembly districts were Latino majority with none electing a Latino. In '90, 0 of the 21 State Senate seats were Latino majority seats, while 1 elected a Latina (Senator Susan Castillo).

Latino Majority Districts in Nevada (as of '90 Census) and Current Number of
Latino Elected Officials (as of General Election 2000)

Source: NALEO, State Legislative Elections: Voting Patterns and Demographics. Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998

"While it is unclear what the numbers will mean with regards to Latino political representation, it is clear that all parties involved in redistricting at every level (federal, state, local) need to look at the growth of Latino and other minority communities in their respective areas," said Antonio Gonzalez.