Hispanic numbers double in 6 Oklahoma counties

Record results

The regional offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement touted record results from a crackdown on immigrants convicted of crimes or dodging standing deportation orders. Agents deported more than 53,000 illegal immigrants from south and central Texas in the past 12 months. They deported more than 16,300 illegal immigrants from northern Texas and Oklahoma.

BACKGROUND

Cultural changes in Panhandle

In Texas County, the Hispanic population is approaching a majority. Two out of every five residents in Texas County are Hispanic. While overall, the county's population has declined since 2000, the county's Hispanic population grew by 35 percent to 8,142 in 2007. Pork processing plants, large feedlots, farms and the oil and gas industry are drawing people from all backgrounds to the Panhandle, said Betty Musburg, executive director of the Panhandle Regional Development Coalition. A mariachi band is part of the music program at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, and Mexican folk dancing is taught at Guymon High School, Musburg said. “We've tried to integrate the culture and take advantage of what everybody has to offer,” Musburg said. “We're booming right now, and the Hispanic culture seems to be willing to go to where the work is. I wish everybody would do that.”

BY THE NUMBERS

Most growth

Here's a look at the top Oklahoma counties for Hispanic population growth by percentage, according to estimates from the Pew Hispanic Center. The estimates were taken in the summer of 2007, before Oklahoma's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Rogers County

100 percent increase in Hispanic population since 2000.

Total population: 83,105

Wagoner County

81 percent increase

Total population: 67,239

Haskell County

68 percent increase

Total population: 12,059 Le Flore County

66 percent increase

Total population: 49,715

Canadian County

65 percent increase

Total population: 103,559

Harper County

65 percent increase

Total population: 3,562