Hispanics make up two-thirds of SJ Valley children





September 23, 2008 1:14 PM ET

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - Figures newly released by the U.S. Census Bureau show that nearly two-thirds of all children living in the San Joaquin Valley are Hispanic.

The figures show that Hispanics make up 48% of Fresno County's overall population and 60% of children younger than age 10.

While immigration accounts for some of the gain, those who study the Valley's changing demographics say that Hispanic women are having children at a rate one-third higher than non-Hispanic white women.

According to the newly released data, 31% of Fresno County residents and 25% of San Joaquin County residents speak Spanish at home. Nationally nearly 20% of U.S. residents speak a language other than English at home.



http://www.kmir6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9059143