[Alabama] Poverty higher for area Hispanics

From The Decatur Daily

By M.J. Ellington

MONTGOMERY — The percentage of Hispanics who live in poverty rose between 1990 and 2000 in Morgan, Lawrence and Limestone counties, according to a new study by the Alabama Poverty Project.

In the same period, white poverty declined in all three counties and black poverty declined in two of the three areas.

3-county trend

The three-county trend is an exception to trends for the state. Statewide poverty for each group, while still high compared to national levels, actually went down for white, black and other minorities.

Auburn University historian and poverty expert Wayne Flynt said the three counties' numbers reflect the larger percentage of poor Hispanics who moved into North Alabama during the time period.

Flynt said problems understanding and reading English, as well as general educational levels, posed greater economic challenges for North Alabama's growing Hispanic population.

Flynt's comments followed release of "The Picture of Poverty," an Alabama Poverty Project study of poverty in Alabama released Friday.

On the Net: www.alabamapoverty.org.