Jump in Hispanics energizes economy in Kansas county

Saline County, Kan., is a vivid example of the impact new Hispanic residents can have on a community.

The population of the county north of Wichita has grown less than 2% this decade to 54,583, but its Hispanic population has jumped 28%. A majority of that growth came not from immigration but a greater number of births than deaths. Hispanics made up 6% of the population in 2000 and almost 8% by 2006, when they totaled 4,183.

The growth has required the county to provide more public services — and it has also helped local businesses fill jobs.”*

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