During Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th, we honor the enduring legacy of culture, history, and accomplishments that Hispanic and Latino individuals and communities have contributed to our nation. Persons of Hispanic and Latino descent, whose heritage traces back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean, have had an important role in shaping America’s life and culture since the nation’s founding. And with 65 million persons of Hispanic or Latino descent living in the United States—making up approximately 19.5% of the U.S. population—they are an integral part of our nation’s future.
As we celebrate the rich cultural, social, and political contributions of Hispanic and Latino persons, Hispanic Heritage Month is also a time to reflect on the challenges America’s largest racial and ethnic minority face. Unfortunately, despite representing approximately 19% of the labor force, and a labor force participation rate that is higher than the national average (about 67% compared with the national average of roughly 63%), Hispanic and Latino workers are underrepresented in higher-paid professions and positions. They also face considerable prejudice within the workplace, and some members of this community face the additional hurdle of having limited English proficiency.
In this blog post, we share a profile of Connecticut’s large and vibrant Hispanic and Latino population using data from the 2010 and 2020 Decennial Census and the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates.
- Connecticut’s 30% growth outpaced the nationwide growth in the Hispanic and Latino population of 23% from 2010 to 2020.
- The next most common origin groups were Dominican at 10.6% (± 1.4%), Mexican at 9.4% (± 1.4%), Colombian at 5.3% (± 1.0%), and Ecuadorian at 5.1% (± 1.0%).
- See the Census Bureau’s Facts for Features story for Hispanic Heritage Month for more information about the U.S. Hispanic and Latino population.
While September and October are devoted to celebrating Hispanic Heritage, it can be honored all year long by visiting the many museums and landmarks that Connecticut has to offer. You can also check out the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of Tourism’s site for more Hispanic Heritage events taking place this month in Connecticut.
Resources
CT State Library-- Upcoming Events – Connecticut State Library (ctstatelibrary.org)
Hartford Public Library Hispanic Heritage -- Events - Hartford Public Library (hplct.org)
Hispanic Heritage Month | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
https://www.eeoc.gov
CTData -- CTData
