Latin American Migrations to the U.S. Heartland
This chapter offers a descriptive analysis of the demographic presence and economic activity of the Hispanic population in six core Heartland states: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma; hereafter referred to collectively as the Heartland 6 (HL6). It gives an overall view of the underlying trends in Hispanic demography, productivity, employment, and other relevant socioeconomic variables from 2000–2007. It shows that the HL6 experienced increased rates of growth in its Hispanic population, a trend consistent with evidence reported in the recent “new destinations” literature. At the same time, traditional growth states vis-à-vis Hispanic presence report decreasing trends in their growth rate. This represents a diffusion, or convergence, of Latin American migrations throughout the United States. Economic performance, income distribution, employment, and the age-gender profile are also descriptively presented.