Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, August 08, 2008

Nearly 5 percent of state's population is Hispanic

MILWAUKEE (AP) — New population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday show Wisconsin's Hispanic population has increased by 41 percent since 2000.

The figures show about 272,000 people, or nearly 5 percent of the state's population, is Hispanic.

In that same period, from 2000 to July 1, 2007, the state's African-American population increased 9 percent to 337,493, or about 6 percent of the state's population.

The growth in the Hispanic population isn't unique to Wisconsin but reflects a national demographic trend.

State Rep. Pedro Colon, who was born in Puerto Rico, said the values of Latinos are aligned to Wisconsin — it's a culture that rewards hard work.

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