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Census report shows spike in South Florida's Caribbean community
Census report cites major population gains in Delray Beach and other South Florida cities
By Georgia East | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Census figures showing the West Indian population has grown significantly in Delray Beach simply confirmed what Phito Thelot witnesses every day.
Thelot, an activist who often helps newcomers from Haiti get adjusted to life here, said it's well-known in certain parts of Haiti that Delray Beach is a good place to settle.
"Basically, when people come from Haiti, they come where they have friends or relatives," Thelot said. "I understand because that's how a lot of us got here. We followed each other."
Stroll down Second Avenue in an area some refer to as Little Haiti and the West Indian presence is clear: Young men speak native Creole in Johnny's Barbershop; in a small variety store next door, a Haitian woman sells everything from Haitian flags to the heavy Dutch pots many use to cook traditional dishes.
A record store nearby plays Haitian compas.
Census figures released to the public today show that 16 percent of Delray Beach's population is of West Indian ancestry, compared with about 12 percent in 2000. The census looked at some smaller South Florida cities with a population less than 65,000.
Delray Beach Mayor Rita Ellis said the new census numbers help the cities pinpoint trends they've already been tracking. Bilingual services have expanded, she said, multicultural festivals have grown in number and the city is going strong with the only Haitian Citizens Observer Patrol program in Palm Beach County.
"It's an eye-opener," she said, adding that new residents are moving in from various Caribbean countries. The conveniences of having specialty markets and religious institutions nearby often play a role in where people decide to settle, experts say.
"People tend to move to an area where they have friends or relatives and find other cultural affinities," said Richard Ogburn, of the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
The census also found that the West Indian population in North Lauderdale and Lauderhill had jumped by about 10 percentage points since 2000, to close to one of every three North Lauderdale and two of every five Lauderhill residents, solidifying Central Broward's status as a major Caribbean base in South Florida.
The growth is not lost on local businesses. At Bedessee East-West Indian Foods in Lauderhill, reggae Christmas carols blare as shoppers fill their baskets with curry powders, yellow yam and sorrel leaves — a few Caribbean staples.
Cricket bats line a back wall, along with an array of flags and ethnic movies.
Trinidadian native Stephen Kissoon picked up some Shandy Ginger Beer at Bedessee's and visited the back wall to look at the cricket bats.
"You see these?" he said pointing to a bat. "You don't find this kind of stuff any and everywhere."
Database Specialist John Maines and Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Georgia East can be reached at geast@ SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4629.
Census report cites major population gains in Delray Beach and other South Florida cities
By Georgia East | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Census figures showing the West Indian population has grown significantly in Delray Beach simply confirmed what Phito Thelot witnesses every day.
Thelot, an activist who often helps newcomers from Haiti get adjusted to life here, said it's well-known in certain parts of Haiti that Delray Beach is a good place to settle.
"Basically, when people come from Haiti, they come where they have friends or relatives," Thelot said. "I understand because that's how a lot of us got here. We followed each other."
Stroll down Second Avenue in an area some refer to as Little Haiti and the West Indian presence is clear: Young men speak native Creole in Johnny's Barbershop; in a small variety store next door, a Haitian woman sells everything from Haitian flags to the heavy Dutch pots many use to cook traditional dishes.
A record store nearby plays Haitian compas.
Census figures released to the public today show that 16 percent of Delray Beach's population is of West Indian ancestry, compared with about 12 percent in 2000. The census looked at some smaller South Florida cities with a population less than 65,000.
Delray Beach Mayor Rita Ellis said the new census numbers help the cities pinpoint trends they've already been tracking. Bilingual services have expanded, she said, multicultural festivals have grown in number and the city is going strong with the only Haitian Citizens Observer Patrol program in Palm Beach County.
"It's an eye-opener," she said, adding that new residents are moving in from various Caribbean countries. The conveniences of having specialty markets and religious institutions nearby often play a role in where people decide to settle, experts say.
"People tend to move to an area where they have friends or relatives and find other cultural affinities," said Richard Ogburn, of the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
The census also found that the West Indian population in North Lauderdale and Lauderhill had jumped by about 10 percentage points since 2000, to close to one of every three North Lauderdale and two of every five Lauderhill residents, solidifying Central Broward's status as a major Caribbean base in South Florida.
The growth is not lost on local businesses. At Bedessee East-West Indian Foods in Lauderhill, reggae Christmas carols blare as shoppers fill their baskets with curry powders, yellow yam and sorrel leaves — a few Caribbean staples.
Cricket bats line a back wall, along with an array of flags and ethnic movies.
Trinidadian native Stephen Kissoon picked up some Shandy Ginger Beer at Bedessee's and visited the back wall to look at the cricket bats.
"You see these?" he said pointing to a bat. "You don't find this kind of stuff any and everywhere."
Database Specialist John Maines and Staff Researcher Barbara Hijek contributed to this report.
Georgia East can be reached at geast@ SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4629.