County has 15th fastest-growing Hispanic population in country Originally published October 24, 2008 By Ashley Andyshak News-Post Staff
Frederick County has the 15th fastest-growing Hispanic population in the country, according to a study released Thursday. The county's Hispanic population has nearly tripled since 2000 and now stands at 12,900, according to a study by the Washington-based Pew Hispanic Center. Frederick is the only Maryland county among the top 25 fastest-growing locations. Frederick County, Va., topped the list with a Hispanic population that nearly quadrupled from 2000 to 2007. Six other northern and central Virginia counties, along with Berkeley and Jefferson counties in West Virginia, also ranked in the top 25.
Though the study does not state reasons for the population growth, researchers suggest that jobs are the driving force. "Hispanics are sensitive to labor market opportunities. They tend to migrate where the jobs are," said Richard Fry, Pew's senior research associate. "I think that's probably reflective of why so many Virginia counties are on the list." While jobs in construction and real estate have declined in recent years, the number of Hispanics working in trucking, manufacturing, landscaping and service industries has continued to grow, said Jorge Ribas, president and chief executive officer for the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The chamber's membership includes businesses in Maryland, Virginia and Washington.
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