Latinos Are Now The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group In Chicago

By Stephen Gossett in News on Sep 15, 2017 5:00PM

Getty Images / Photo: Tim Boyle

Latinos are now the second largest ethnic or racial group in Chicago, having surpassed African-Americans, according to new census data.

As highlighted by an analysis of the numbers by the Metropolitan Planning Council, estimates now show more than 800,000 Latinos in Chicago, compared to 793,852 African-American residents.

The figure for Latinos represents the highest-ever total for that demographic in Chicago. Meanwhile, black population fell by some 40,000 residents (nearly 5 percent) between 2015 and 2016. It's believed to be the first time in five decades that the African-American population has dropped below 800,000 in Chicago.

"There's been a slow and steady decline of African-America population in Chicago for a number of years now," Alden Loury, Director of Research and Evaluation of MPC, told Chicagoist.

Between 1980 and 2000, Chicago's black population gradually dwindled from its peak, followed by a very sharp drop between 2000 and 2010, Loury said.

"There's been a considerable amount of stress on black communities in Chicago, in terms of a shrinking job market and and economy that one time allowed for lower-skilled, manufacturing opportunities," he said, also pointing out a long-term pattern of migration to the south suburbs. Turmoil in the housing market and education system are also likely factors, he said. "And the level of violence of course, but those numbers were even higher in the 90s, when the black population was more stable. So that's part of the story, but not as dramatic" as perceived, he noted.

Meanwhile, Latino communities like Pilsen and Little Village have experienced sustained growth, having found "a sweet spot" of economic stability, he said.

And this shift is likely only the beginning of a continued pattern. "This will be a long-running narrative for the next decade or two. There will be a time when we’ll be talking about Latinos as the largest demographic group in the city," Loury added.

[H/T DNA Info]