Hispanics in the United States
Hispanic Population
Throughout the United States, approximately 16% of the total population is considered Hispanic and accounts for over half the growth in the U.S. population between 2000 and 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau). The majority of the growing Hispanic population are Mexican (about three-quarters of the total growth) followed by Cubans (Figure 2). Aside from California, Texas has the largest population of Hispanics in the country with 18.7% of the total population (U.S. Census Bureau).
Politics
Many Hispanics express the desire to vote but few Hispanics exercise this right. This is partly due to the fact that there are many Hispanics in the country that have not obtained naturalization. Mexicans in particular have been naturalizing at low rates, 36% in 2011, in comparison to other Hispanic groups at 61% (Gonzales-Barrera). Despite this issue, Hispanics usually associate with the Democratic Party due to the fact that “the Democratic Party has long been associated with minorities and the ‘working class’” (Garza, 94).
Throughout the United States, approximately 16% of the total population is considered Hispanic and accounts for over half the growth in the U.S. population between 2000 and 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau). The majority of the growing Hispanic population are Mexican (about three-quarters of the total growth) followed by Cubans (Figure 2). Aside from California, Texas has the largest population of Hispanics in the country with 18.7% of the total population (U.S. Census Bureau).
Politics
Many Hispanics express the desire to vote but few Hispanics exercise this right. This is partly due to the fact that there are many Hispanics in the country that have not obtained naturalization. Mexicans in particular have been naturalizing at low rates, 36% in 2011, in comparison to other Hispanic groups at 61% (Gonzales-Barrera). Despite this issue, Hispanics usually associate with the Democratic Party due to the fact that “the Democratic Party has long been associated with minorities and the ‘working class’” (Garza, 94).
Identity
Hispanics have long struggled with identity in the United States. Because Hispanic is a blanket term for many different nationalities and ethnic groups, many Hispanics feel that they are generalized into a larger category that does not recognize individual cultures. While identifying themselves, most Hispanics prefer to use their country of origin rather than a term like "Hispanic" or "Latino". Younger generations tend to use these pan-ethnic terms more often along with "American" in place of their country of origin. The younger generation also is more likely to consider itself a typical American while older generations are more likely to consider themselves atypical.
Hispanics have long struggled with identity in the United States. Because Hispanic is a blanket term for many different nationalities and ethnic groups, many Hispanics feel that they are generalized into a larger category that does not recognize individual cultures. While identifying themselves, most Hispanics prefer to use their country of origin rather than a term like "Hispanic" or "Latino". Younger generations tend to use these pan-ethnic terms more often along with "American" in place of their country of origin. The younger generation also is more likely to consider itself a typical American while older generations are more likely to consider themselves atypical.
Hispanics in the Hill Country
Population
The Hill Country has a total Hispanic population of about 19% which is large in comparison to the rest of the United States; however, it is only about half of the Hispanic population for Texas as a whole--38.2% (U.S. Census, 2010). The vast majority of the Hispanics in the area are Mexican coming from border-states like Nueva León. San Antonio has the largest Hispanic population of any urban area or city in the Hill Country with an astounding 63.2% of the population within the city identifying as Hispanic (U.S. Census, 2010).
Looking to the map on the right (Figure 3), it can be seen that the Hill Country, located in the center of the state, appears to have much a much lower concentration of the Hispanic population by county than the South Texan counties that line the border between Texas and Mexico. It is important to note that these numbers may be misconstrued as many people of Hispanic origin identify as white on the Census or "other". Many Hispanics living in this area are also undocumented and may not be included in the Census.
The Hill Country has a total Hispanic population of about 19% which is large in comparison to the rest of the United States; however, it is only about half of the Hispanic population for Texas as a whole--38.2% (U.S. Census, 2010). The vast majority of the Hispanics in the area are Mexican coming from border-states like Nueva León. San Antonio has the largest Hispanic population of any urban area or city in the Hill Country with an astounding 63.2% of the population within the city identifying as Hispanic (U.S. Census, 2010).
Looking to the map on the right (Figure 3), it can be seen that the Hill Country, located in the center of the state, appears to have much a much lower concentration of the Hispanic population by county than the South Texan counties that line the border between Texas and Mexico. It is important to note that these numbers may be misconstrued as many people of Hispanic origin identify as white on the Census or "other". Many Hispanics living in this area are also undocumented and may not be included in the Census.
Historical Segregation
Hispanics have faced spatial and social segregation from their Anglo counterparts contributing to the formation of a distinct identity for Hispanics in the Hill Country. Since the late 1800’s with the arrival of Anglo settlers, there have been well-defined settlement areas for Hispanics in the region that are usually separated from Anglo inhabitants with “separate land uses and social spaces” and can sometimes be classified as “enclave towns within towns” (Arreola, 64). Markedly Hispanic settlements are often referred to as barrios. Barrios tend to be spatially segregated from white areas by physical features like railroads, highways, or canals and have features like smaller lot sizes, plazas, and small, family-operated businesses (Arreola, 83). Having seen many towns and cities in the Hill Country, place names of streets, businesses, and churches alone can distinguish a Hispanic area from an Anglo area.
Hispanics have faced spatial and social segregation from their Anglo counterparts contributing to the formation of a distinct identity for Hispanics in the Hill Country. Since the late 1800’s with the arrival of Anglo settlers, there have been well-defined settlement areas for Hispanics in the region that are usually separated from Anglo inhabitants with “separate land uses and social spaces” and can sometimes be classified as “enclave towns within towns” (Arreola, 64). Markedly Hispanic settlements are often referred to as barrios. Barrios tend to be spatially segregated from white areas by physical features like railroads, highways, or canals and have features like smaller lot sizes, plazas, and small, family-operated businesses (Arreola, 83). Having seen many towns and cities in the Hill Country, place names of streets, businesses, and churches alone can distinguish a Hispanic area from an Anglo area.