Latinos are now the Largest Demographic in Palm Beach County Schools

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Latinos are already the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the United States. As a group, they are expected to grow from 1 in 6 people today to 1 in 4 by 2035, and 1 in 3 by 2060. All across the country, Latinos are impacting the demographics of nearly every community.

In Palm Beach County, Florida (20.37% Latino population), Latinos are making an impact in another avenue. For the first time ever, public schools in the area have more Latino students than any other demographic group.

As reported by The Sun-Sentinel, Latinos make up 33% of the district’s 190,240 students. This number is compared to the 32% white and 28% black students. The district’s numbers are strikingly different than the overall racial makeup of the rest of the county which is 60% white.

“The Hispanic birth rate is larger, and there’s an aging white population that is not being replaced as quickly,” said Jason Link, the district’s manager for enrollment and demographics in an interview. “There is no indication that white students are leaving the district for private schools.”


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Many minorities, especially Latinos, showed that they have closed the gap between themselves and their white peers; over the last four years, the number of Latinos graduating from high school has improved from 71% to nearly 78%.

Latino enrollment has surged throughout Palm Beach County, but it has been especially felt in West Palm Beach, Greenacres, and Lake Worth. These communities have had large pockets of Latino communities for years.

According to district officials, these areas have proven to be more “affordable” than other areas, such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.

“Affordable housing plays a huge role, and when you’ve got families in other countries, other members of the family will follow,” Link said.

Read more about this story here.

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142

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