Births spark growth in Hispanic population

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- A demographer says for the first time in 30 years births, and not immigration, are responsible for the growing numbers of Hispanics in the United States.

Kenneth Johnson of the University of New Hampshire's Casey Institute says some rural counties where population had been shrinking and aging are experiencing growth because of the Hispanic birthrate, USA Today reported Monday.

A Hispanic baby boom is transforming the demographics of small-town America, says Johnson.

Research by Johnson and Daniel Lichter of Cornell shows the growth of Hispanic populations has intensified during the past decade in parts of the country where few lived previously.

From 2000 to 2005, they found population growth in 221 counties solely because of Hispanics.

Hispanics are having an impact that far outlasts their initial entry into the country, the two say.

Their findings are reported in this month's Population and Development Review, a demographic journal published by the Population Council.