The Census put Camden's total population at 79,904, down 7,588, or nearly 9 percent, from a decade ago. While the black population dropped by nearly 15 percent, the Hispanic population grew by about the same rate. The switch is likely to signal growing influence for Hispanics across city life, in politics, economic development and education. Hispanics are here to stay.
Black leaders have to recognize that trend.
If they recognize that, they should begin to work with Hispanics in an inclusive process. With Camden's non-Hispanic white population also dropping by several thousand, Hispanics, blacks and other minorities now make up 93 percent of Camden's population, the Census showed. Blacks remain the largest minority group in the city despite the exodus, with a population of 42,628, or 53 percent. Nearly 50,000 blacks lived in the city a decade ago. The Census report showed 31,019 Hispanic residents, or 39 percent, up nearly 4,000.