WASHINGTON - A new report shows the Hispanic population in the U.S. is growing faster in smaller cities and towns, such as Gainesville, than in more traditional areas.<br>
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In nearly twenty metropolotian areas, including Atlanta, the Latino populations grew by more than 300 percent between 1980 and 2000. Raleigh, N.C., lead the way with a nearly 1,200-percent increase in its Latino population, according to the Pew Research report. <br>
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By contrast, none of the established Hispanic metro areas - such as Albuquerque, N.M., Los Angeles, and, Tucson, Az. - grew by more than 143 percent during the period.<br>
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In Gainesville and Hall County, the Hispanic population grew to 27,242, according to the 2000 census, and now represents more than 19 percent of the total population.<br>
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The report also shows that Hispanic men outnumber Hispanic women by 17 percent in the new Latino destination metro areas where the Latino population grew fastest.
