Puerto Rico’s connection with North Carolina didn’t get off to a great start. In 1918, the United States was short of employees for “war work,” including the building of Ft. Bragg in North Carolina. The Department of Labor thought of Puerto Rico, since previous labor exchanges had worked out fairly well. The War Department provided transportation and the Labor Department offered room and board, steady wages, and overtime pay.
The corporate sugar industry had changed the face of agriculture in Puerto Rico and there were many workers willing to accept the offer. Unfortunately, living conditions at the labor camp were unsanitary and even dangerous. Puerto Rican workers felt ill-treated from the beginning of their time there.
Things got worse when the influenza pandemic reached North Carolina. This worldwide surge of the Spanish flu killed more people than had died in World War I, and the unsanitary conditions encouraged the spread. Twenty-eight of the Puerto Rican workers died within the first month.
Through the 20th century
During World War II, many Puerto Ricans answered the call to join the U.S. military, and those who were stationed in North Carolina often chose to remain in the state after their tours of duty. As the Puerto Rican community grew, migrants in the great midcentury wave of people moving from the Island to the mainland chose the state as their new home.
By the year 2000, there were about 31,000 people of Puerto Rican heritage living in North Carolina, a number which has nearly tripled.
In the 21st century
After Hurricane Maria in 2017, North Carolina was one of the favored destinations for Puerto Ricans leaving the Island. It is currently #11 among the 50 states in Puerto Rican residents, with 11% of the state’s population identifying as Puerto Rican. Puerto Ricans are the second largest group in the overall Hispanic population.
New technologies have fostered the growth of the Puerto Rican community in North Carolina, with online interactions encouraging a sense of belonging. Online communities and movements have encouraged Puerto Rican citizens to vote and to connect with one another socially and culturally. In 2024, the first Puerto Rican representative, Jordan Lopez, was elected to the state legislature.
The largest local Puerto Rican communities are found in Fayetteville, Raleigh/Durham, and Charlotte.
