North Carolina's Latin American Heritage: Home

National Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated September 15th to October 15th. 

The State Library is taking this opportunity to focus on contributions the Latin American community has made and continues to make in North Carolina.

• According to Carolina Demography, in 2019 the Hispanic population in North Carolina grew greater than one million people, with 1,026,000 residents. This makes 9.8% of North Carolina’s population Hispanic or Latino. 
• Beginning in the 1990s, North Carolina experienced a boom in its Hispanic/Latinx population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state had the fifth largest growth rate of Latin American people in the nation from 2000-2006. Some of the population boom can be attributed to the overall economic growth that brought many people to the state in recent years. Although the largest segment of the Latin American population has Mexican roots, there are also many residents from other Spanish-speaking Caribbean and Central and South American nations.
• The recent influx of Latin American people does not mark the beginning of the Hispanic presence in the state. In fact, the Hispanic presence extends much further back into North Carolina’s history.  In 1540, Hernando de Soto, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, traveled through the Appalachian mountains on his quest to find gold in North America.

Did you know these famous Latin American people are from, or live in, North Carolina?

• Pedro Cuatrecasas, recipient, 1988 North Carolina Award in Science: Pioneering research in biochemistry and pharmacology

• Frankie Muniz, actor, "Malcolm in the Middle": Discovered in Knightdale, a surburb of Raleigh, at age 8.

• Ariana DeBose, actor, Native of Wilmington, NC. In 2022 won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Anita in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story. 

• Brian Romero, soccer player for Charlotte FC, Concord, NC. 

The State Library of North Carolina has created a Spanish Language version of this guide. Visit this link to access the Spanish language version of this research guide: https://statelibrary.ncdcr.libguides.com/HerenciaLatinoamericana 

This LibGuide is maintained by the
SLNC Government & Heritage Library

Website:
https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/about-us/government-and-heritage-library

Phone: (919) 814-6790

Email: slnc.reference@dncr.nc.gov

Physical address:
109 E. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27601

Mailing address:
4640 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4600

As the library of North Carolina state government, our purpose is to present factual information about North Carolina's history, culture, government, and natural resources. We do our best to provide correct and up-to-date information.