They just might be from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia or about 14 other Central and South American countries -- even Spain.

Lancaster County's Hispanic population has become increasingly diversified since 1990, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, which tracks the countries of origin of people living in the United States.

Puerto Ricans can claim a 72 percent majority among Hispanics here, according to 2005 estimates from Lancaster County Planning Commission. Increasingly, however, they are sharing their churches, stores and neighborhoods with people who share their language, but not necessarily their culture.

For example, from 1990 to 2000 the county added to its Hispanic population people from nine Central and South American countries that were not represented at the beginning of the decade.

In addition, populations that were already established here in 1990, such as Mexicans, Dominicans, Colombians and Cubans, continued to swell during the ensuing decade. And fledgling groups, like Salvadorans, grew from 31 to 142 people.

The diversification and growth has occurred for a number of reasons, according to people from the various ethnic groups and the professionals who work with them.

Some people moved to Lancaster from other parts of the United States. Others came directly from their countries of origin because a family member here petitioned for their legal residence.

Some were seeking refuge from political or religious persecution or natural disasters in their homelands. Others came illegally.

People in Lancaster County have "a community in their midst who is trying very hard to do what they can to succeed, raise their families, prosper and have peace of mind," said Carlos Graupera, executive director of the Spanish American Civic Association and a native of Cuba. "They want what you want. The intent is to create a good life for themselves."

Many of them work toward these goals as they struggle to understand English and find a way to fit in with other Hispanic cultures, African-Americans, Asians and the predominantly white community. Whites make up 88 percent of the county's 488,738 people, according to Lancaster County Planning Commission 2005 population estimates.

Armando Echavarrio, a Colombian from New Holland, said living near people of the same nationality helps immigrants adjust to Lancaster more quickly. He is part of a large community of Colombians in the New Holland and Ephrata areas.

For example, he said, when the first family from a country arrives, it might take two years or its members to get established with steady income and a place to live. The next person who comes could, with the help of the first family, be independent within one year. The next family might take six months; the following one possibly two months.

Unless an immigrant community is already established outside Lancaster city, newcomers typically settle in the city first, said Alicia Pease, originally from Panama, describing the pattern she's observed since moving to Lancaster in 1983. After people save enough money and feel more secure, she said, they gradually move into the suburbs.

They also tend to become more active in the community, like second and third generations of Puerto Ricans are doing now, said Adrian Garcia, intake officer for Lancaster's Human Relations Commission.

Garcia said he sees many other established Puerto Ricans like himself who are upwardly mobile and hungry to contribute. They might own their own businesses, be active in the military and politics and/or have college degrees.

Many work in social services to help the "high numbers of Puerto Ricans coming in here" who need assistance, Garcia said.

Graupera said the Latin community believes it is making progress, even though it also can feel "undervalued, marginalized, underrated, underserved and underappreciated."

"But you know what?" Graupera continued. "We'll handle that, and time will resolve all those things. As we become economically entrenched, go after home ownership, it will go away."

Church as hub

Many Spanish-speaking people call San Juan Bautista Catholic Church home

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