The Hispanic population in the United States has grown at a rate almost 7 times faster than the non-ethnic population. In 2006 there were over 44 Million U.S. Hispanics living in over 11 Million Households.

The Census projects that Hispanics have accounted for over 44% of total population growth in the nineties and over 50% of total growth since 2000 with those projections only gaining momentum in decades to come.

Due to higher birth rates and a younger population in the Year 2000 over one out of every 5 babies born in the U.S. was Hispanic! In 5 years Hispanics will represent almost 1 out of every 4 new births! Source: 2006 US Census Data.

North Carolinas growing Hispanic population contribute more than $9 billion each year to the states economy, a figure that could double by 2010

    ° With over 600,000 Latinos, North Carolinas Hispanics accounts for 7% of the states total population.

    ° North Carolinas Hispanic market has reached critical mass and is an extremely fast-growing market, with significant, above-average growth in both buying power and population.

Spending Power:

The states Hispanic buying power grew 1,042 percent to $9.6 billion from 1990-2006, nearly four times greater than the 277 percent increase in Hispanic buying power nationwide. This increase makes North Carolina the 15th-largest Hispanic market in the country.

    ° Hispanic Economic Impact on Metropolitan Areas in N.C*
Charlotte $ 2.0 billion
Raleigh $1.2 billion
Durham $780 million
Greenboro $632 million
Winston-Salem $583 million

Source: N.C Institute of Minority Economic Development 2007

* UNC Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise 2006