Missouri Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15th to October 15th

In 1988, Congress expanded what was once a week-long observance to a month-long (September 15 to October 15) celebration of traditions and cultures that trace back to Spain, Mexico and Spanish speaking South American countries. Approximately 189,700 Hispanics call Missouri home and will be celebrating their Hispanic descent.

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.

Nationally, the population of Hispanics was estimated to be 46.9 million, or 15.4 percent of the nation's population, making Hispanics the largest ethnic or race minority in the United States.  

As of July 1, 2008, approximately 189,700 of Hispanic descent called Missouri home. Those of Hispanic origin make up 16.1 percent of the population of Sullivan County in the state. McDonald County followed with slightly less at 13.2 percent. Other top counties included Barry (8.4%), Pulaski (7.9%), Jackson (7.9%) and Saline (7.7%).

Jackson County had the largest Hispanic population in the state with an estimated total of 52,696. St. Louis County's Hispanic population was the second largest, estimated at 22,729. Other top counties included Clay (10,988), St. Louis City (10,286) and St. Charles (8,288).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau