Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month Video
Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed annually between September 15th and October 15th, celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. The observance started in 1968, when President Lyndon Johnson authorized the Hispanic Heritage Week. It was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The dates recognize that seven Latin American countries - Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua - celebrate their independence in mid-September.
The Hispanic Presence in Anne Arundel County
Latin Americans have been in “America” since the early 1800’s, when the United States annexed Florida, Louisiana, and parts of Mexico. Subsequent expansion of U.S. territories, combined with waves of immigration from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe have steadily increased the number of Hispanic Americans throughout the country.
Anne Arundel County, Maryland's estimated population is 590,367 with a growth rate of 0.63% in the past year according to the most recent United States census data. Anne Arundel County, Maryland is the 4th largest county in Maryland.
And the Hispanic/Latino community as the largest demographic group has grown the most according to 2020 Census data. 9.7% of the total population.
There are just under 57,000 Hispanics/Latinos are living in Anne Arundel County.
They come from a variety of backgrounds and living situations, they tend to be younger than the rest of the population, and they are a mix of second and third generation immigrants as well as recent immigrants.
A significant portion of the immigrant community comes from Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras) the Caribbean and a growing number come from Mexico.
Many Anne Arundel Latinos are employed in essential industries such as construction, restaurants, agriculture, and seafood. And within these industries, more and more are striking out on their own and starting their own company. Construction, restaurants, legal and tax offices and cleaning companies are the majority.
And they are the driving force behind the economy of our county.