Latinos in Montgomery County - Washington Post

Thursday, June 26, 2008; GZ12

The growth of the Latino community over the past two decades has helped make Montgomery County the most diverse county in Maryland. As of August 2006, an estimated 128,365 Latinos were in Montgomery, about 14 percent of the county's population. The increase in Latinos represents more than half of the county's population growth.

Here is a detailed look at Latinos in Montgomery, according to a recent study. The data are based on analyses from 2004 to 2006.
Demographics

Percentage of Latinos by Region of Origin

· Central America 44.5 percent
· South America 22.5 percent
· Other Hispanic/Latino Origin 10.7 percent
· Mexico 9.9 percent
· Puerto Rico 6.3 percent
· Dominican Republic 3.6 percent
· Cuba 2.4 percent
· Percentage foreign-born 65 percent
· Percentage native-born 35 percent

Latinos by Montgomery Neighborhood

· Silver Spring 26 percent
· Wheaton-Glenmont 26 percent
· Gaithersburg 20 percent
· Aspen Hill 15 percent
· Takoma Park 14 percent
· Rockville 12 percent
· Montgomery Village 12 percent
· Germantown 10 percent

Health Care (age 40 and older)

· Proportion of Latino county residents who are uninsured: 58 percent (estimated)
· Latinos reporting they needed medical care in the previous year but did not get it: 21 percent (citing high cost as the reason: 74.3 percent)
· Percentage indicating that they do not have a primary health-care provider: about 50 percent

English Speakers

· Language other than English spoken at home: 90 percent
· Little or no English: 30 percent
· English spoken well or very well: 60 percent
· Only English: 10 percent

Education (Age 25 or Older)

· Proportion of Latinos with a bachelor's degree or more: 22.1 percent (national comparison for Latinos: 12.2 percent)
· Some college: 16.4 percent
· Associate's degree: 4.2 percent
· Only high school diploma: 18.6 percent
· Haven't finished high school: 38.7 percent

Occupations

· Service occupations 30.5 percent
· Management and professional 22 percent
· Construction and maintenance 21.1 percent
· Sales and office 18 percent

Income

· Per capita income: $20,165 (the lowest of any race/ethnic group in the county)
· Per capita income for all residents: $41,901

Poverty

· Proportion in poverty: 9.5 percent
· Proportion of county population in poverty: 4.5 percent

SOURCE: "Blueprint for Latino Health in Montgomery County, Maryland: 2008-2012"