Professor of Sociology Nora Hui-Jung Kim
Professor of Sociology Nora Hui-Jung Kim spoke to The Free Lance-Star about how the recent census report showed that the Fredericksburg area has become more diverse.
Nora Kim, a professor of sociology and anthropology at the University of Mary Washington, said once the wealth of information contained in the latest Census report is completely boiled down, a more precise picture of the impact of population growth on the region can be thoroughly examined and analyzed. But Kim said the region is most likely seeing an influx of minorities as a result of cheaper housing costs, when compared with those available closer to the Beltway.
“They’re spreading down to where they can have access to ethnic communities and ethnic markets in Northern Virginia, but at the same time, have affordable housing,” Kim said.
She said the Fredericksburg region attracts large numbers of government contractors and military personnel who transition in and out of the region.
“Those two sectors tend to attract more minority populations,” said Kim. Read more.