The Impact of Hispanic Population Growth in the Locality on the Outlook of African Americans

Marylee C. Taylor, Pennsylvania State University
Matthew Schroeder, Pennsylvania State University

The impact of America's expanding immigrant population on the well-being of African Americans has been a focus of recent debate and empirical analysis. Economic outcomes such as wages, employment, and small business development have been examined, as well as residential segregation, education and crime. Social psychological outcomes, however, have been overlooked. This research examines the consequences of local Hispanic population growth on black Americans' financial and job satisfaction; predictions for employment stability; sense of relative position in American society; perceptions of the trend in conditions for blacks; happiness and self-reported health; faith in people; trust in government; and confidence in civic institutions. Population estimates from the 1990 and 2000 Census are linked to 1998-2002 General Social Survey responses from African Americans.