Thread: TN: Census: Knox Hispanic numbers more than tripled over 10-

Census: Knox Hispanic numbers more than tripled over 10-year span
By Steve Ahillen
Knoxville News Sentinel
Posted March 18, 2011 at midnight

Angel Martinez has a prediction to make.

"Five or 10 years out, you'll have one or two Hispanics on some city and county boards in East Tennessee; five or 10 years out, whether it's Knox or Sevier or some other county, you'll probably see a Hispanic mayor," said Martinez, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of East Tennessee.

The 2010 census numbers released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau certainly support his vision.

Almost all East Tennessee counties show a huge growth in the Hispanic community since the 2000 census. In Knox County, for example, the population more than tripled - from 4,803 in 2000 to 15,012 in 2010.

"(Hispanic) people are moving here for the same reason anybody else moves here, because of the potential for economic growth, the lower cost of living, the beautiful mountains," Martinez said. "East Tennessee has been a hidden gem. It's the biggest secret in the U.S., but now the secret is out."

The Hispanic population in Hamblen County has doubled from 3,299 to 6,711 in 10 years. More revealing, the number of Hispanic children in the county (2,694) represented 18.3 percent of the county's child population - the highest percentage of any Tennessee county.

"You can see it in the schools," said Hamblen County Mayor Bill Brittain. "We have Hispanic families who have children who were born here and have grown up here. They are teenagers and graduating high schools. It is a reflection of our young families, our 40-and-under age group.

"The difference now from three or four years ago is that when the economy started to decline, we got less of the migrant workers who are here and gone. The Hispanic community that is here now is made of families. They are anchored here and they want to be here. To me that is a positive thing, because they are going to invest in the community."

Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters also notes the schools in his county where the Hispanic population has jumped from 884 to 4,787 in 10 years.

"We have been aware of growth here for a number of years," he said. "Especially in the school system, where we have a number of programs to help deal with it."

Waters referred to a greater emphasis on courses teaching English as a second language.

"That (the language barrier) is a challenge not only for schools, but the businesses of our community," he said. "But the benefits are there. Hispanics come here just like everybody else, because we have a vibrant economy and this is a good place to live."

Martinez said he sees the Hispanic community starting to get comfortable in East Tennessee.

"When I moved here 7 1/2 years ago, it was a struggle to find a welcoming spirit here," Martinez said. "I think that has changed by leaps and bounds. We can do better, sure, but it has come a long way."

He also sees Hispanics gaining some political force.

"They haven't been a traditional voting power, but they are starting to," he said. "The tension with immigration reform, it has really riled up the Hispanic voters. They are more active."

Steve Ahillen may be reached at 865-342-6364.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/mar/1 ... hispanics/?

15,000 huh,
and how many are illegally here