Las Vegas NowVegas Among Top Destinations for Hispanic Immigrants

Vegas Among Top Destinations for Hispanic Immigrants

Las Vegas Among Top Destinations for Hispanic Immigrants
(July 31) -- A new census study shows that Las Vegas is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Hispanic immigrants outside the nation's established Latino metropolitan areas.

The study by the Pew Hispanic Center and Brookings Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy shows that Las Vegas was one of 18 cities with Hispanic communities undergoing "hypergrowth" over the past two decades.

"Hypergrowth" is defined as growth of more than 300 percent since 1980.

Las Vegas' population increased by 270 percent since 1980. Comparatively, the city's Hispanic population grew by 750 percent.

Experts say Hispanic immigrants are beginning to skip such gateway cities as Miami and Los Angeles and instead settle in cities with vibrant and growing economies.

In 2000, Hispanics totaled more than 320,000 and comprised 21 percent of the Las Vegas Valley's population. 

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press.)

Clark County To Begin Holding Elections in Both English and Spanish
Clark County has become one of many across the nation now required to conduct elections in more than one language. The 2000 Census Bureau shows that more than 5 percent of the Clark County population speaks only Spanish. County officials say they're ready for the changes because officials already made the decision last year to hold this year's elections in both English and Spanish.