East-West Gateway’s October 2021 Map of the Month depicts change in the Hispanic and Latino population in the East-West Gateway region from 2010 to 2020. In the last decade, the Hispanic and Latino population in the region grew by nearly 50 percent, and now stands at just over 100,000. Every county in the region experienced an increase in the number of people identifying as being of Hispanic or Latino origin. The largest increase was in St. Louis County (+12,154), followed by St. Charles County (+6,028) and the city of St. Louis (+4,275). The counties of Madison and St. Clair both saw increases of more than 3,000, while Jefferson County had an increase of more than 2,000. In Franklin County, the Hispanic and Latino population more than doubled, and now stands at 2,205. In Monroe County, the population more than tripled, to a total of 646. The Census Bureau revised the survey form and coding process used for the 2010 and 2020 Decennial Censuses. These changes led to a more accurate recording of the diversity of the U.S. population but also accounts for an unknown portion of the recorded change. According to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, around 8,800 small businesses in the region were Hispanic owned in 2018. For more information on National Hispanic American Heritage Month, visit https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
National Hispanic American Heritage Month runs from September 15th to October 15th.