While Alabama is not a premier destination state for Hispanic migrants, the state has not yet peaked in its potential to absorb additional Hispanic residents, and the Hispanic population in Alabama will continue to grow throughout the decade, according to Annette Watters, manager of the Alabama State Data Center at The University of Alabama.

Watters said we can expect the growth in the Hispanic population to continue to be uneven across the state. While Hispanics make up about 2 percent of the total Alabama population, in 43 of Alabama's 67 counties Hispanics represent 1 percent or less of the total. In the counties with the highest concentrations, Hispanics represent between 4 and 8 percent of the total population.

"Alabama has seen many new Hispanic residents in recent years, but not as many as other states," Watters said. Alabama ranked 33 of 50 for the number of Hispanics who moved into the state between 1990 and 2000. Alabama ranked 38 of 50 among states for its total number of Hispanics in 2000. North Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina are all states that have had greater numbers and percents of increase in their Hispanic population than Alabama. But Alabama continues to be an attractive state for Hispanic migrants and the trend has not yet peaked, Watters said.

Watters said the counties that are attractive to Hispanics will continue to be attractive.

"Counties with employment opportunities and a solid base of Hispanic migrants who are succeeding in their endeavors will continue to grow their Hispanic communities. As more Latinos congregate in an area, stores and services emerge that offer what they want to buy. It's the American way — find a niche and fill it," Watters said.

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