The Melting Pot Revisited: Hispanic Density and Economic Achievement in American Metropolitan Regions

Abstract

Hispanics are poised to become the nation’s largest minority. Their growth is well documented, as are persistent inequalities that prevent their full integration into American society. Studies of Latinos tend to focus on metropolitan regions with high Hispanic density, creating the impression of a uniform profile for the group. That leaves open the question of whether the Latino experience is similar in other parts of the country. A close look at data from 100 midsized American metropolitan regions indicates that, as education and employment opportunities become available to a small segment of Hispanics, their economic achievement follows a different pattern. In areas of low Hispanic density, Latinos fare much better on a number of economic predictors. The price for their success, however, may be one of low cultural visibility and partial success. Despite higher levels of educational attainment and employment, they are still unable to reach parity with the majority in economic rewards.