Press Archive

Census 2000: Dramatic Growth in Oklahoma Latino Population

San Antonio, TX - "The results of Census 2000 for the state of Oklahoma confirmed the growing presence and rapid growth of Latinos throughout the state," said Antonio Gonzalez, President of the William C. Velásquez Institute, "while the unadjusted numbers are not an accurate representation of the Latino community and its growth, the 108.1% increase is impressive." With the overall population of Oklahoma increasing 9.7% to 3,450,654 those identifying as either Hispanic or Latino represented 5.2% of the population at 179,304, up from 86,160 or 2.7%. Furthermore, Latinos represented 30.5% of the total population growth in the state during the '90's.

2000 TOTAL/LATINO POPULATION BY TOP 5 LATINO POPULATED COUNTIES

Source: 2000 & 1990 Census

"Latino growth has been evident throughout the state," said Robert Aguinaga, Redistricting Coordinator for WCVI. "On a county level, the top five concentrations of the Latino population are in Oklahoma, Tulsa, Commanche, Cleveland, and Texas," said Aguinaga. With the largest Latino population, Oklahoma County is home to slightly more than 50,000 Latinos, representing 8.7% of the county's total population. Tulsa county is second with its Latino population at 33,616 or 6.0% of the total population.

In Oklahoma, Latinos have made substantial demographic gains. Of the political representation, at the federal level, there are 6 congressional districts, in 90, none were Latino majority seats. At the state legislative level, in 90, 0 out of the 101 State Representative districts were Latino majority with none electing a Latino. In 90, 0 of the 54 State Senate seats were Latino majority seats.

Latino Majority Districts in Oklahoma (as of '90 Census) and Current Number of
Latino Elected Officials (as of General Election 2000)

Source: NALEO, State Legislative Elections: Voting Patterns and Demographics. Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998

"While it is unclear what the numbers will mean with regards to Latino political representation, it is clear that all parties involved in redistricting at every level (federal, state, local) need to look at the growth of Latino and other minority communities in their respective areas," said Antonio Gonzalez.