New U.S. Census Bureau estimates show the Latino population continues to grow in Northwest Indiana, with Porter County experiencing an especially large jump the past six years.

Porter County saw an influx of nearly 3,000 Hispanics between the 2000 census and 2006 population estimates released Thursday, which translates to a 41 percent increase.

Lake County, home to more established Latino communities, saw its Hispanic population grow 17 percent to nearly 69,000.

"You're seeing those populations moving into the region and moving within the region," said Lauren Rhein, a demographics analyst with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

The change is obvious to many.

"In the 30 years I've lived in Munster, the changes have been pretty drastic," said state Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, D-Munster. Candelaria Reardon, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, attributes much of the growth to second- and third-generation Latinos leaving inner-city neighborhoods for the suburbs.

"They're not in East Chicago necessarily anymore. They're in Kouts and places elsewhere," said Daniel Lowery, vice president of academic affairs at Calumet College of St. Joseph and former director of the Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council.

Both Lake and Porter counties remain majority white, despite the trends. But nationwide, whites now are in the minority in nearly one in 10. U.S counties, the Census Bureau reports.

That's not the case in Lake and Porter counties in Indiana and Cook and Will counties in Illinois. But Cook does boast the largest black population -- 1.4 million -- of any county in the nation.

Porter County remains 95 percent white, though its black population nearly tripled to 3,697 the past six years.

"Our community is growing, and this is just a great place to live. I think that's probably why a lot more blacks are coming to this area," said Jane Claiborne, an associate athletics director at Valparaiso University. Claiborne and her husband, Floyd, moved from Georgia 16 years ago and have raised two daughters in Valparaiso.

Blacks, including the Claiborne family, represent just 2 percent of the Porter County population, though that figure is up from less than 1 percent in 2000.

The black population remained steady in Lake the past six years, growing 5 percent to 129,000, or 26 percent of the county. Meanwhile, non-Hispanic whites accounted for 58 percent of Lake County's population. Hispanics can file in other racial categories, resulting in data greater than 100 percent.

Overall, Porter County grew by more than 13,300 people, or 9 percent, since 2000, while Lake County's population increased just 2 percent, to 494,202.