History of Hispanics in Connecticut

The migration to the U.S. from Latin America is significant since the last thirty years. About 27 million Americans are identified as Hispanic. Hispanics are most concentrated in the Southwest, the Northeast, south Florida and certain urban areas of the Midwest. The largest numbers of Hispanics are located in California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey. In terms of Hispanic origin, the largest numbers are, in order, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans. Mexican Americans are most highly concentrated on and near the West Coast. The numbers are fewer past Texas and the states above Texas. New York City contains the most in terms of counties by the East Coast. Cubans are most highly situated in Florida and New York City. Dominicans are also in New York City and Florida. Central Americans (Nicaraguan, El Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Honduran, Panamanian) are scattered all across the U.S. The place of origin for Hispanics from South America is mostly Colombian and from Central America, it is usually from El Salvador. Almost one-third of all Hispanics living in the United States are foreign-born, or immigrants. The median income for Hispanic men was $22,000 in 1993. More than two of every ten Hispanic A m erican families live in poverty. Females, children, and the elderly have the highest proportion of poverty. Research from 1990 indicate that one out of every seven children who were five years old and older spoke a language other then English in the home, the other language being Spanish. (Shinagawa, Larry Hajime. Jang, Michael. Atlas of American Diversity, AltaMira Press 75-95).

Latin Americans in Hartford, CT.

The following data is all from the US Census from 1990. You can go to the Census homepage at http://www.census.gov.

In Connecticut, there are about 213,116 people of Hispanic Origin. Of these, 66,274 are of a Hispanic origin other then Puerto Rican. There are 3,946 Dominicans, 1,347 Guatemal ans, 542 Hondurans, 428 Nicaraguans, 509 Panamanians, 1,043 Salvadorans, and 973 other Central Americans. 7,511 Colombians live in Connecticut, 2,947 Ecuadorians, 4,111 are Peruvians, and about 4,558 other South Americans.

Most Hispanics in Connecticut range from 25-29 years old. There are more single parent homes than married couple homes. Of the single parents, more are female parents with related children. More Hispanics are renters than owners in a household. In the households, most children ranging from 5-17 years old speak English, and of these most can speak English fluently. Of the elderly most speak little or no English. Of the middle range, ages 18-64 most can speak English very well. In Hartford County, there are 69,592 Hispanics. Of th ese 1,522 are Mexican, 1,736 are Cuban, 864 are Dominican. From Central America: 183 are Guatemalan, 99 are Honduran, 56 are Nicaraguan, 173 are Panamanian, 149 are Salvadoran, and only 5 constitute other Central Americans. From South America there are 1,657 Colombians, 253 Ecuadorians, 2,057 Peruvians, and about 892 other South Americans.

Most Hispanic households in Hartford are of a single parent, with the female most often the single parent. There are 4,734 married couple households (with children) in Hartford compared to 6,781 single female parent with children households. More Hispanics are renters rather then owners of a house. Most people ranging from the ages of 5-64 speak English fluently. Most of the elderly speak little or no English.

Latin Americans have done a lot to assimilate into Hartford. El Extra News is a Hispanic newspaper published in Connecticut. It contains various subjects of interest to the Hispanic community. Ads in El Extra News are proof of the different Latino communities living in Connecticut.

Amparo Garcia is a Colombian who lives in Hartford and has her own radio show on WRTC, Connecticut radio from Trinity College, which broadcasts on Tuesdays from 6:30pm-7:30pm. She describes Hartford as different from her hom e in Colombia. She migrated to Connecticut when she was just out of college, at 22 years old. "The night life is more apparent in Colombia. There is dancing, social get-togethers of people with all ages. Connecticut is more isolated." She also feels that there is much segregation by age. People of the same age tend to stay together in parties and other events. She also says: "The family structure in Colombia is stronger." However, she also feels that there is more to offer in Connecticut. There is a high illiteracy rate in Colombia and Ms. Garcia recalls a time when she first rode the bus in Hartford. I remember my first impression of America was that 'wow, everybody reads.' On the bus, people of all ages and all races were reading various books, magazines, newspapers. It didn't matter that it was Spanish or English. I was surprised at the amount of people who could just read.