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According to U.S. Census Estimates, South Carolina's
immigrant population grew faster than any other state in the U.S. between 2006
and 2007.
· According to American Community Survey data (U.S.
Census), South Carolina’s Latino population increased over 460 percent between
1990 and 2007 (from roughly 30,000 to roughly 168,000).
· Based on immigration rates, school enrollment data
and birth rates, researchers at the University of South Carolina’s Consortium
for Latino Immigration Studies estimate South Carolina’s Latino population at
between 400,000 and 500,000.
· According to American Community Survey data (U.S.
Census), in summer 2007 the majority (63 percent) of South Carolina’s Latino
immigrants were of Mexican origin, followed by (in order of size) those of
Puerto Rican, Central American, South American, and other Caribbean origin. Of
Central Americans, most are of Honduran and Guatemalan origin. Of South
Americans, the majority (49 percent of those of South American origin) are of
Colombian origin, followed by those of Peruvian and Venezuelan origin (14 and 13
percent, respectively).
· The Hispanic population in South Carolina is
relatively young: the median age of Hispanic males is 27.2, Hispanic females is
24.7, while the median age of all South Carolinian males is 35.2, and that of
all females in the state is 37.5.
· Latinos make important contributions to South
Carolina’s economy, performing jobs from business management to lower wage
positions in a variety of industries.
· Most of the Latino workforce in the state is found
in the construction, manufacturing, food processing, service, and agricultural
industries.
· The largest Latino communities in South Carolina (in
order of size) are found in Greenville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, Richland,
Charleston and Horry Counties.
· In some schools in the state, Latino students
comprise up to half of the student body.
· Recent
reports by the PEW Hispanic Center reveal that the economic downturn has slowed
unauthorized migration from Mexico.
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