The state of Utah has an increasingly diverse population, home to hundreds of thousands of Hispanic/Latino people who share ancestry from Latin American countries. It is estimated that there are roughly 383,400 residents of Hispanic/Latino descent currently living in Utah.
Possibly the first Spanish expedition into the lands now known as Utah was in 1541, captained by Garci-Lopez de Cardenas, and recorded by Francisco de Coronado. [1] Utah was incorporated into the Province of Las Californias.
In 1776 the government of New Spain authorized friars Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Francisco Atanacio Dominguez to explore territory controlled by the Utes, now modern day Colorado, Utah, and northern New Mexico. Five Mexican Indians (or mestizos, men of mixed race of Spanish and indigenous descent) accompanied them “as guides, interpreters, and keepers of horses and mules. [2] ” The expedition aimed to find a route to connect Santa Fé and Monterey as well as to convert the Utes to Christianity. The Spaniards gave Spanish names to places they encountered that were later changed by the Mormon pioneers.
After Mexico’s war of independence against Spain started in 1810 and Mexico reclaimed all Spanish possessions (including the area controlled by the Utes), rivalry developed between Anglo-American traders in the area and Mexicans. After Mexico declared independence from Spain, the area officially became part of the Mexican territory and Mexicans were actively involved in Utah while making no threat to Ute claims on the land. This continued uninterrupted until 1847 and the arrival of the Mormons, followed by the United States annexation of the territory of Utah with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. [2]
Since its foundation in 1894, Carbon County attracted a diverse group of immigrants as sheepherders, railroad laborers, and coal miners. The Mexicans and the Mexican Americans continued to grow in numbers throughout the years. [3] Hispanic presence at the end of the nineteenth century played an instrumental role in the development of cattle, sheep, and mining industries and in the irrigation systems of Utah. [1]
In 1900 the United States Census listed only forty individuals of Mexican nativity living in Utah. [3] Spanish-speaking families began to establish homes in Monticello, find employment at Bingham Copper Mine in the Salt Lake Valley, work in the Carbon County coal mines, and find their place in other locations in Utah as new economic opportunities emerged with World War I. In the 1910 Utah Census, there was a total of 199 Spanish-speaking people reported in the state. [4] The 1910 Census reported 184 total people from Mexico living in Utah at the time [5] The new century brought many Hispanic immigrants, often from Mexico escaping the Revolution of Mexico. [6] Many immigrants settled in Weber County in Northern Utah during this time due to the abundance of railroad and mining jobs. [7] Across the United States, Latino immigration boomed post-World War II. [8] By 1980, the official count placed Hispanics at 4.1 percent of the population of the state, or 69,260 individuals. [1]
In the 1990s alone, the Latino population of Utah grew by 138 percent. [9] A government focus on tourism in the towns of Park City, Wendover, and others in Utah caused a surge of new jobs that attracted a Hispanic population that would come to call these regions home. [10] Some communities in northern Utah in the 1990s saw a 300 percent increase in Latino population. The lack of diversity in this immigration destination has increased a sense of racial-ethnic otherness that is not observed in more traditional immigrant destinations, that tend to be urban melting pots. [9]
The Utah Compact is a document authored by various groups in early 2011, including businesses, religious organizations, and political leaders. [11] It is a document detailing five principals regarding the discussion of immigration legislation in Utah. It was written following the implementation of new immigration policy in Arizona in 2010. Amongst the compact's supporters were groups from the agricultural industry, members of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, a state 'conservative think tank', members of various churches, and a local Latino-focused organization. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also expressed support for the compact, but did not sign it. [11]
In 2021, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Hispanic/Latino population to be approximately 495,000, or 14.8% of the total population of 3.3 million. [12] Just as the overall population of Utah is growing, the amount of Hispanics in Utah is also growing, and the Latino population is increasing at a higher rate than the white non-Latino population. [8]
According to the 2010 Census, Utah ranks 11th in the United States for percent of Latino people per capita.
The Utah city with the most Hispanic residents in 2020 is West Valley City with over 51,000 Hispanic/Latino residents.
According to the Kem C Gardner Policy at the University of Utah and The United States Census Bureau, more of Utah’s hispanic population is the result of reproduction in the United States rather than immigration from a Latin/Hispanic country. It is estimated that the Hispanic/Latino population in Utah accounts for 0.7% of the nation’s entire Hispanic population.
According to the 2010 census, Hispanics are majority in Beryl Junction (51.8%), Wendover (68.3%) and Hideout (77.0%).
Ancestry by origin (2021 surveys) | Population | % (out of total Hispanic pop. in Utah) |
---|---|---|
Argentine | 4,923 | 1 |
Bolivian | 824 | — |
Chilean | 6,952 | 1.4 |
Colombian | 8,338 | 1.7 |
Costa Rican | 1,422 | — |
Cuban | 4,936 | 1 |
Dominican | 5,326 | 1.1 |
Ecuadorian | 3,110 | 0.63 |
Guatemalan | 12,119 | 2.5 |
Honduran | 3,359 | 0.68 |
Mexican | 338,842 | 68.6 |
Nicaraguan | 1,813 | — |
Panamanian | 2,060 | — |
Paraguayan | 1,911 | — |
Peruvian | 13,609 | 2.6 |
Puerto Rican | 11,341 | 2.3 |
Salvadoran | 15,347 | 3.1 |
"Spanish" | 19,706 | 4 |
"Spaniard" | 14,627 | 3 |
"Spanish American" | 427 | — |
Uruguayan | 819 | — |
Venezuelan | 18,326 | 1.2 |
All other | 16050 | 3.3 |
Total | 493,639 | |
Ancestry by region (2010 Census) [13] [14] | Number | % |
---|---|---|
Mexican | 258,905 | 9.4% |
Caribbean | 10,397 | 0.4% |
Central American | 20,442 | 0.7% |
South American | 26,028 | 0.9% |
Other Hispanic | 42,568 | 1.5% |
Total | ||
Source: [15]
Salt Lake County in northern Utah has the highest density of Latino people in the state of Utah.
This community has created a space and web of Hispanic business people to allow for greater opportunities for job seekers and prospective employees of Latin Heritage in the state of Utah. Founded in 1991, the organization offers scholarships to local college students, recognizes prominent Hispanic business employees in the area, as well as hosting events to allow for networking between its members and specific career fields within the realm of business. Based upon holding a membership to the organization, members have access to helpful tools to help further their careers. [16]
Since 2018 Panas in Utah, has become the means of communication for Latinos, it began after the Venezuelan migration to the state and now it reaches all the Hispanic communities in Utah, is affiliated with EFE the first Spanish news agency in the world with more than 80 years of experience and el pana en Utah, Frengy Alvarado has become a reference for news and information for the community
The annual four-day festival of Festival LatinoAmericano during Labor Day weekend celebrates all things Latin culture from a variety of countries. It is located in downtown Provo, Utah. The festival features prominent speakers and entertainers, many ethnic food opportunities, as well as performances from local dance/music groups. [17]
This annual festival in Midvale, Utah, established in 1988, celebrates the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo. This festival takes place the first weekend in May and offers many performers such as bailé folklorico (traditional dancing), mariachi bands, as well as known hispanic singers and bands. The festival boasts a variety of local Mexican food vendors as well as activities such as bingo and inflatable bounce- houses for children to play in. [18]
The Utah Cultural Celebration Center hosts an annual celebration and education of Mexican Holiday, día de los muertos, in West Valley City. The event takes place the weekend surrounding the holiday (October 31-November 2) and provides traditional means of celebrating the holiday featuring authentic Mexican music and dance, relevant arts and crafts for the family as well as a La Catarina dress up contest. [19]
Día de los muertos at Thanksgiving Point
This annual one day celebration at Thanksgiving Point event center in Lehi, Utah provides an experience complete with traditional food, dance, storytelling, music, as well as a community altar (ofrenda) to pay tribute to deceased loved ones. [20]
This festival is an annual two-day event located at the Gateway shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City. The event contains a parade with cultural dancers, musicians as well as small floats. There is also a street fair with vendors selling cultural Latin cuisine as well as homemade cultural items. The street fair offers a variety of booths, family activities and crafts, and live music. [21]
Utah | Number of people of Mexican Origin (1900-1930) and of Hispanic/Latino Origin (1940-2020) in Utah [22] [23] [24] [25] [a] | +% of Population of Mexican Origin (1900-1930) and of Hispanic/Latino Origin (1940-2020) in Utah |
---|---|---|
1900 | 40 (Spanish speakers) [3] [26] | 0.0% |
1910 | 199 (Spanish Americans) [26] | 0.0% |
1920 | 1,348 - 1,666 | 0.3% |
1930 | 4,062 | 0.8% |
1940 | 2,572 | 0.5% |
1950 | N/A | N/A |
1960 | N/A | N/A |
1970 | 43,550 (15% sample) | 4.1% |
1980 | 60,302 | 4.1% |
1990 | 84,597 | 4.9% |
2000 | 201,559 | 9.0% |
2010 | 358,340 | 13.0% |
2020 | 492,912 | 15.1% |
San Juan County ( St John in Spanish), Escalante (Spanish surname), Santa Clara (Saint Clare de Assisi), Alta (high in Spanish), Pintura (painting in Spanish), Santa Clara Volcano, Callao Ghost Town (named for a town in Peru), Santa Clara River.
Source: [27]
Luz Escamilla- Democrat- District 1 Since January 2009.
Ross Romero-Democrat- District 7 2006-2012
Pete Suazo- 1996-2001- Democrat- First Latino Senator to be elected to the Utah State Senate
Source: [28]
Rebecca Chavez-Houck- Democrat- District 24. 2008-2018
Angela Romero- Democrat- District 26 since 2013
Arlene Anderson - Ogden School Board, District 1 since 2021.
Silivia Catten - Millcreek City Council, District 1 since 2018.
Joél-Léhi Organista - Salt Lake City School Board, District 1 since 2021.
Nate Salazar - Salt Lake City School Board, District 4 since 2019.
Ana Valdemoros - Salt Lake City Council, District 4 since 2019.
Silvia Stubbs - San Juan County Commissioner, District 2 since 2023
David Archuleta- Singer/Songwriter, appearing on American Talent Contest, American Idol
Julian Vazquez- Professional Soccer player for Real Salt Lake
Long Guitierrez Feng- Swimmer 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
Emil Cuello- Professional Soccer Player for the LA Galaxy
Jared Fernandez- Former MLB Pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, and Milwaukee Brewers
Salt Lake County is located in the U.S. state of Utah. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 1,185,238, making it the most populous county in Utah. Its county seat and largest city is Salt Lake City, the state capital. The county was created in 1850. Salt Lake County is the 37th most populated county in the United States and is one of four counties in the Rocky Mountains to make it into the top 100. Salt Lake County has been the only county of the first class in Utah – under the Utah Code is a county with a population of 700,000 or greater. Although, Utah County directly to the south has recently reached this threshold.
Provo is a city in and the county seat of Utah County, Utah, United States. It is 43 miles (69 km) south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front, and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south. With a population at the 2020 census of 115,162, Provo is the fourth-largest city in Utah and the principal city in the Provo-Orem metropolitan area, which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census. It is Utah's second-largest metropolitan area after Salt Lake City.
Cottonwood Heights is a city located in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States, along the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley. It lies south of the cities of Holladay and Murray, east of Midvale, and north of Sandy within the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. Originally a census-designated place (CDP), following a successful referendum in May 2004, the city was incorporated on January 14, 2005. The population, as of the 2020 census, was 33,617.
Midvale City is located in the heart of Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. Midvale's population was 34,124 according to 2019 estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Hispanic and Latino Americans are Americans of full or partial Spanish and/or Latin American background, culture, or family origin. These demographics include all Americans who identify as Hispanic or Latino regardless of race. As of 2020, the Census Bureau estimated that there were almost 65.3 million Hispanics and Latinos living in the United States and its territories.
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The United States has a racially and ethnically diverse population. At the federal level, race and ethnicity have been categorized separately. The most recent United States census recognized five racial categories, as well as people who belong to two or more of the racial categories. The United States also recognizes the broader notion of ethnicity. The 2000 census and 2010 American Community Survey inquired about the "ancestry" of residents, while the 2020 census allowed people to enter their "origins". The Census Bureau also classified respondents as either Hispanic or Latino, identifying as an ethnicity, which comprises the minority group in the nation.
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White Hispanic and Latino Americans, also called Euro-Hispanics, Euro-Latinos, White Hispanics, or White Latinos, are Americans of white ancestry and ancestry from Latin America. It also refers to people of European ancestry from Latin America that speak Spanish natively and immigrated to the United States.
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