How much do you know about the history of Hispanic and Latino culture and community in Rockford?
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with La Onda, a newly-formed nonprofit organization, to help share and celebrate the impact of Hispanic and Latino people, businesses and organizations in and around the Rockford area.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day to read about the people and places that make up Rockford’s Latino community.
The earliest record of Latinos in Winnebago County dates back to 1907.
Since then, the Rockford community and its surrounding cities have witnessed significant influxes of Latinos throughout the 20th century. While many Latinos identify as Mexican or having Mexican roots, there have always been diverse Latino ethnicities in the region, according to DataUS.
In 2022, Latinos made up 15.6% of Rockford’s population and 14.1% of Winnebago County’s. Among these, many trace their origins to countries like Colombia, Honduras, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico, to name a few.