LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Millions of people call the Las Vegas valley home. Residents come from a rich and diverse number of backgrounds and Latinos are among the booming population.
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, 13 Action News is recognizing the achievements and contributions of those men and women working, creating and flourishing right here in Las Vegas.
From the aguas frescas to the fresh fruta picada and the spices and flavors from a variety of Latin American countries, the Hispanic presence in the Las Vegas valley is hard to miss.
"I feel like it's home. I can speak Spanish, I can go to the store and ask for my tortillas and salsa," says valley resident Mayra Barragan.
She works at La Bonita supermarket. She moved to Las Vegas 24 years ago from Mexico. She says back then, life was different.
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH
"My daughter was the first Hispanic girl in the school," says Barragan.
She says she has seen significant growth in our valley's Hispanic population, contributing to our local economy and making a difference. Just here at this supermarket, about 75% of their customers are Latino.
"Twenty years ago, there were only a couple of stores in Las Vegas," Barragan said. "We were in trouble finding tortillas or tamales and now they are right around the corner."
Census data from 2020 shows Clark County's population is at more than 2.2 million, and 32% are Hispanic or Latino. That's more than 700,000 strong.
"The Latinos alone in Las Vegas make up a bigger percentage than many other larger cities in the country," says Alex Vazquez, who sits on the Board of Directors for the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
He says about 80% of our Latino population are Mexican. He says the other 20% come from a variety of Hispanic origins:
"A lot of central, Caribbean, and South Americans — particularly Cubans, Salvadorians, Guatemala, and Colombia," says Vazquez.
He says the number of people from every Latino nationality is increasing in the valley.
"In the last 30 years, just to give you an idea, we were at 500,000 people roughly and very minimal Latino population, and now it's exploded, and we make up a third," Vazquez said.
When he moved to Las Vegas at a young age, he was one of only three Latinos in his classroom.
"Now CCSD says more than 60 percent of students are Hispanic," Vazquez said.
Fabiola Saavedra has been working at La Bonita for three years, moving from Mexico at 15. She says she wouldn't want to be anywhere else than in the Las Vegas valley.
"I'm proud to be a Latina. I'm proud to be a part of my Hispanic people, and see how we are all growing, opening more stores, more jobs, and more opportunities for people," Saavedra said.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept.15 through Oct. 15. Be sure to watch 13 Action News as we highlight some of the local Latinos who work, create, and share their passions with valley residents every day.
