Census charts changes in LV

Hispanics represented the fastest-growing population group in both Clark County and Nevada from 1990 through July 1, 1997, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The county's estimated Hispanic population of 179,061 last year was 116 percent larger than in 1990, when it was 82,904. There was a 103.6 percent increase in the statewide Hispanic population over the same period.

The news came as no surprise to two local Hispanic leaders, who attributed the growth to the availability of entry-level jobs and affordable housing. In fact, Otto Merida, executive director of the Latin Chamber of Commerce and Fernando Romero, a Mirage Resorts government-affairs manager, said the estimates might be low.

"Many Hispanics who live in Southern California, Texas, Florida and New York come here because many of the jobs are entry jobs," Merida said. "The explosion of jobs in Southern Nevada is not happening in the rest of the country. And these are jobs where you can make a good living."

Romero said Hispanics have been attracted to jobs in construction and in hotels that others may not want. He also said the cost of living locally is low compared to other states, and that there is a relatively short commute to jobs.

"Housing is more affordable, apartments are more affordable and the distance between point A and point B is shorter," Romero said.

He said that natives of Mexico represent the fastest growing segment of the local Hispanic population. They are followed by natives of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

"The backbone of Southern Nevada's growth, the people doing the landscaping, the framing of homes and pouring of concrete, have been people of Hispanic descent," Romero said.

Both Romero and Merida said they are hopeful that the Hispanic population explosion also will give that group more political clout. An effort backed by Spanish-language media has resulted in the registering of more than 3,000 new Hispanic voters in Clark County this year. Romero said the number of young Hispanics getting involved in local politics also is increasing.

"We have over 2,000 small businesses in Southern Nevada that are Hispanic, and that number is growing tremendously," Merida said.

These population figures and percentages for 1997 also were based on estimates:

--Asian and Pacific Islander residents represented the second largest population increases, with a 96.8 percent change in the county and 86.6 percent statewide. Blacks were next, increasing 58.8 percent in the county and 57 percent statewide. Indians followed with increases of 56.1 percent in the county and 40.7 percent statewide. The white population grew by 46 percent in the county and 36.4 percent statewide.

--Among all counties nationwide, Clark ranked 26th in population with 928,181 whites, 29th with 179,061 Hispanics, 33rd with 10,877 Indians, 34th with 53,162 Asians and Pacific Islanders and 52nd with 113,827 blacks.

--Among all states, Nevada ranked 15th with 253,329 Hispanics, 18th with 29,642 Indians, 23rd with 73,611 Asians and Pacific Islanders, 34th with 125,346 blacks and 38th with 1,448,210 whites.

--The county's increase of 292,476 white residents between 1990 and 1997 was the second largest numerical increase in the country over that period. Clark also had the seventh largest increase of new black residents with 42,148, and the ninth largest increase of Indians with 3,907. The addition of 96,157 new Hispanics and 26,148 new Asians and Pacific Islanders ranked Clark 14th and 19th respectively.

--Nevada had the ninth largest increases in Indians, Hispanics and whites, 18th in Asians and Pacific Islanders, and 23rd in blacks.

--Clark County's population grew from 741,368 to 1,106,047 over the seven-year period, a 49.2 percent increase that ranked 24th among all counties nationwide.

--Nevada's population grew from 1,201,675 to 1,676,809 over the same period, a 39.5 percent increase. Clark's addition of 364,679 new residents was the 30th largest numerical population increase in the nation.

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