Hispanics in North Carolina: How You Are Contributing to Changing North Carolina Demographics and the Future of North Carolina Pender County Presentation March 6, 2007 Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D. Centro Hispano University of North Carolina Wilmington

Hispanics in the United States: Overview United States Trends United States Trends Is the largest ethnic minority group in US Is the largest ethnic minority group in US Is the fastest growing ethnic group in US Is the fastest growing ethnic group in US Approximating 15% of the population Approximating 15% of the population Will represent the majority group in 2040 Will represent the majority group in 2040 By 2040, Hispanics and Blacks = 40% of popul. By 2040, Hispanics and Blacks = 40% of popul. Probably undercounted (hence projections are probably off with a wide margin of error) Probably undercounted (hence projections are probably off with a wide margin of error)

Demographics: Hispanics in the United States United States Statistics United States Statistics Overall = 12.5% (Vs 12.1% for AA) Overall = 12.5% (Vs 12.1% for AA) Before 18 = 35% Before 18 = 35% = 60% = 60% 65 + = 5% 65 + = 5% Less Educated than counterparts Less Educated than counterparts More Fertile than counterparts More Fertile than counterparts Births Will Outpace Migration Births Will Outpace Migration

Mexican Immigration to the US 32.5 million foreign born (40 mil. By 2010) 32.5 million foreign born (40 mil. By 2010) 9.9 million are from Mexico 9.9 million are from Mexico 5.3 million undocumented 5.3 million undocumented 7.3 million are from rest of Latin America 7.3 million are from rest of Latin America Largest growth – North Carolina Largest growth – North Carolina Georgia #2 Georgia #2

Demographics: Hispanics in North Carolina North Carolina Statistics North Carolina Statistics Overall = 4.7% Overall = 4.7% Migration for Foreign Born = 50% Migration for Foreign Born = 50% Primarily from California (also from the NE) Primarily from California (also from the NE) Comparison (ND = 282% decrease) Comparison (ND = 282% decrease) From 1990 to 2000 From 1990 to , , % increase 394 % increase

Demographics: Hispanics in New Hanover County New Hanover Statistics Estimates New Hanover Statistics Estimates Total Population = 147,642 (22.7% increase) Total Population = 147,642 (22.7% increase) 1980 = 788; 1980 = 788; 1990 = 747; 1990 = 747; 2000 =1, =1,828 Estimate = severe undercounting Estimate = severe undercounting

Educational Statistics High School Students High School Students One third of all high school graduates by the year 2013 will be Hispanic One third of all high school graduates by the year 2013 will be Hispanic Graduation rate for Hispanics nationally = 54% Graduation rate for Hispanics nationally = 54% Graduation rate for Hispanics in North Carolina = 38% Graduation rate for Hispanics in North Carolina = 38%

Education (continued) From High School to College From High School to College Statistics; Statistics; Latinos - 353,000 to 1.70 million going to college Latinos - 353,000 to 1.70 million going to college Anglos – 2.6 million to 1.8 million grad from HS Anglos – 2.6 million to 1.8 million grad from HS Barriers Barriers Proper Course Preparation Proper Course Preparation Adequate Standardized Test Scores Adequate Standardized Test Scores Financial Financial Familial/Psychological Familial/Psychological

What Can We Do to Change These Statistics? Opportunity is Based on Intelligence and Intelligence is Based on Education Opportunity is Based on Intelligence and Intelligence is Based on Education Education is Closely Linked to Health Status Education is Closely Linked to Health Status Each Degree Approximately Doubles an Income Each Degree Approximately Doubles an Income

Specific Solutions To a College Education Proper Course Selection Proper Course Selection Best predictor of college are courses taken Best predictor of college are courses taken If feasible, take college credit course in HS If feasible, take college credit course in HS Adequate Standardized Test Scores Adequate Standardized Test Scores Proper course selection Proper course selection Take the tests Take the tests Financial Financial Out of state Vs In state tuition Out of state Vs In state tuition Contact Financial Aid Office Contact Financial Aid Office Familial/Psychological Familial/Psychological Paradigm shift Paradigm shift

General Solutions FORMAL EDUCATION = SUCCESS FORMAL EDUCATION = SUCCESS KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH = NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH = NECESSARY INTEGRATE/ASSIMILATE/ACCULTURATE INTEGRATE/ASSIMILATE/ACCULTURATE DO NOT LOSE YOUR HERITAGE AND ETHNIC IDENTITY DO NOT LOSE YOUR HERITAGE AND ETHNIC IDENTITY THE FUTURE WILL BE YOURS FOR THE TAKING THE FUTURE WILL BE YOURS FOR THE TAKING

How Can We Help? Resources Resources Pender County High School Staff Pender County High School Staff Community College System (e.g., BCC) Community College System (e.g., BCC) University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Carolina Wilmington Coalition 4 Success Coalition 4 Success Centro Hispano Centro Hispano Additional Resources??? Additional Resources???

What Does Being “Hispanic” Mean? Speaking Spanish Speaking Spanish Being Catholic (or Christian) Being Catholic (or Christian) Family above all (and extended family) Family above all (and extended family) Children are highly desired and valued Children are highly desired and valued Friends and social groups are critical Friends and social groups are critical Time to be enjoyed not conquered Time to be enjoyed not conquered Cooperation versus competition Cooperation versus competition Modesty Modesty Religion as source of support and socialization Religion as source of support and socialization Keep one’s problems to themselves or family Keep one’s problems to themselves or family Less material & consumer focused Less material & consumer focused More emotional More emotional Personalismo Personalismo Fatalismo (chance and God explain just about everything) Fatalismo (chance and God explain just about everything) Respect and formality Respect and formality The important use and knowledge of a name (and title) The important use and knowledge of a name (and title) Hospitality through gifts, food, and drink Hospitality through gifts, food, and drink Smooth interpersonal relations are critical (amabilidad) Smooth interpersonal relations are critical (amabilidad)