This monthly digest is written primarily for the staff of UC Cooperative Extension. It is produced by the staff of ANR's News and Information Outreach in Spanish (NOS) based on news reported by mainstream news media and reputable research institutions. Inclusion in the digest does not imply endorsement, nor does SBMS assume responsibility for the veracity of the information. We invite our readers to refer to the source to read more of each particular brief; we'll try to always include a link.

Recent Census figures show U.S. suburbs are attracting Asians, blacks and Hispanics, not just whites. Significant regional increases in minority growth are also evident. The South saw 42 percent of the growth in the Hispanic population between 2000 and 2005, as well as 27 percent of the Asian growth, 74 percent of the black population growth and 71 percent of the growth of whites. “The South’s growth is probably more balanced than other regions in racial and ethnic contributions,” stated William Frey, a demographer at Brookings Institution. In the Northeast, Hispanics represent 71 percent of the past decade’s increase in population. In the country overall, Hispanics and Asians drove much of suburban growth. In metropolitan areas, size seems to attract different groups, with almost half of the population growth among whites taking place in small metro areas. Large metropolitan areas attracted more Hispanics, blacks and Asians.

Source: El Nasser, Haya. “Diversity Rises in Suburbs.” USA  Today, August 4, 2006, http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2006-08-03-suburbs-diversity_x.htm