Hispanics and Latinos in New Jersey facts for kids
New Jersey is a state in the United States that is home to many people of Hispanic and Latino backgrounds. In 2018, about 20.4% of New Jersey's population, which is nearly 1.8 million people, were Hispanic or Latino. This group includes people from many different countries.
You'll find large communities of Dominican Americans, Puerto Rican Americans, Cuban Americans, and Mexican Americans in New Jersey. There are also many people from Central and South America, like Peruvian Americans, Colombian Americans, and Ecuadorian Americans. New Jersey also has a big community of Brazilian Americans and other Portuguese-speaking people.
Many towns in New Jersey have a majority of Hispanic residents. For example, in Newark, the state's largest city, about one-third of the people are Latino. They often live in neighborhoods like Forest Hill and Mount Pleasant. These areas are home to many Puerto Ricans and Dominicans.
The northern part of Hudson County is sometimes called Havana on the Hudson. This is because many Cuban people moved there. In Paterson, you can find Little Lima, which is the biggest Peruvian community outside of South America. Many Latino and Hispanic people have also been elected to important government jobs in New Jersey.
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Hispanic and Latino Communities in New Jersey
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New Jersey has many towns where a large number of people are Hispanic. Here are some examples from the 2010 United States census:
Major Cities with Many Hispanic Residents
- Elizabeth: About 59.5% of the people are Hispanic.
- Paterson: About 57.6% of the people are Hispanic. This city is home to Little Lima and La Ventiuno.
Towns with Growing Hispanic Populations
- North Bergen: About 68.4% of the people are Hispanic.
- Passaic: About 71.0% of the people are Hispanic.
- Perth Amboy: About 78.1% of the people are Hispanic.
- Union City: About 84.7% of the people are Hispanic.
- West New York: About 78.1% of the people are Hispanic.
- New Brunswick: About 46.9% of the people are Hispanic.
- Dover: About 69.4% of the people are Hispanic.
- Fairview: About 54.6% of the people are Hispanic.
- Guttenberg: About 64.8% of the people are Hispanic.
- East Newark: About 61.4% of the people are Hispanic.
- Prospect Park: About 52.1% of the people are Hispanic.
- Victory Gardens: About 63.0% of the people are Hispanic.
Supporting the Hispanic Community
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has a special group called the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development. This center helps the Hispanic community in New Jersey. It gives money to local organizations and helps create job training for Hispanic college students. It also studies the Hispanic community and makes sure people can get the services they need.
Hispanic and Latino Leaders in Public Office
Many people of Latino background serve in public office throughout New Jersey. They work at different levels of government.
Leaders at the State and National Level
- Esther Salas: A federal judge for New Jersey.
- Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina: An Associate Justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court.
- Roberto A. Rivera-Soto: Also an Associate Justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
- Bob Menendez: A United States Senator for New Jersey.
- Albio Sires: A member of the United States House of Representatives for New Jersey's 13th district.
New Jersey State Legislators
These leaders help make laws for the state of New Jersey:
- Marlene Caride (born 1963): Represents the 36th Legislative District.
- Gabriela M. Mosquera: A State Assemblywoman for the 4th Legislative District.
- Nilsa Cruz-Perez: A State Senator for the 5th District.
- Maria_Rodriguez-Gregg: A State Assemblywoman for the 8th Legislative District.
- Annette Quijano: A State Assemblywoman for the 20th Legislative District.
- Teresa Ruiz: A State Senator for the 29th Legislative District.
- Eliana Pintor Marin: A State Assemblywoman for the 29th Legislative District.
- Vincent Prieto: A State Assemblyman for the 32nd legislative district and former Speaker of the Assembly.
- Angelica M. Jimenez: A State Assemblywoman for the 32nd Legislative District.
- Ruben J. Ramos: A State Assemblyman for the 33rd legislative district.
- Caridad Rodriguez: A State Assemblywoman for the 33rd Legislative District.
- Nellie Pou: A State Senator for the 35th Legislative District.
- Kristin Corrado: A State Senator for the 40th Legislative District.
Local Leaders in New Jersey Cities
Hudson County Leaders
- Eliu Rivera: A Freeholder for District 4.
- Rudy Garcia: Former mayor of Union City.
Newark Leaders
The number of Latino people in Newark has grown a lot. In 2010, about one-third of the people in Newark were Hispanic or Latino. Many of them are Puerto Rican.
- Luis A. Quintana
- Teresa Ruiz
Passaic City Leaders
- Hector Carlos Lora
- Jose "Joey" Torres
- Julio Tavarez: A Councilmember for the 5th Ward in Paterson, New Jersey.
- Bernice Toledo: A judge for Passaic County. She was first elected in 2011.
Other Local Leaders
- Carlos Rendo: Mayor of Woodcliff Lake in Bergen County.
- Anthony R. Suarez: Former Mayor of Ridgefield, New Jersey.
- Joseph Vas: From Middlesex County.
- Wilda Diaz: From Middlesex County.
- Angel Estrada: From Union County.
- Annette Quijano: From Union County.
- Nilsa Cruz-Perez: From South Jersey.
- Carmen G. Rodriguez: A Freeholder for Camden County.
Hispanic and Latino Influence in Sports and Arts
Hispanic and Latino people have also made important contributions in sports and the arts.
- Carol-Lynn Parente: An executive producer for the TV show Sesame Street. She is Puerto Rican-American.
- Franck de Las Mercedes: A visual artist. He is Nicaraguan American.
- Tab Ramos: A player for the U.S. national soccer team. He is Uruguayan American.
Demographics of Hispanic and Latino Groups
This table shows the number of people from different Hispanic and Latino backgrounds in New Jersey:
| Ancestry by origin | Number |
|---|---|
| Mexican | 217,715 |
| Puerto Rican | 434,092 |
| Cuban | 83,362 |
| Dominican | 328,092 |
