Hampton Roads’ economy is often defined by its anchor institutions — the Port of Virginia and intermodal shipping, military installations, shipbuilding, health care systems, universities and a tourism industry that supports thousands of jobs. Less frequently acknowledged, but equally essential, is the Hispanic community’s role as a consistent and growing contributor across all of these sectors. The scale of that contribution raises an important policy question: How city and state leaders choose to invest in this workforce and business base will directly shape the region’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness.
This contribution is measurable. As of 2024, Hispanic or Latino residents represent approximately 11.6% of Virginia’s population. This population is deeply integrated into the regional workforce, consumer markets and small business economy. The implication is straightforward: Economic development strategies that fail to account for this community risk limiting growth, while targeted investment can accelerate it.
Hispanic households across Hampton Roads participate broadly as workers, entrepreneurs, professionals, consumers and taxpayers. Their economic activity strengthens workforce stability, generates public revenue, and supports long-term growth for local governments and for the commonwealth of Virginia.
National data reinforces the importance of this reality. As of 2025, the Latino economy exceeds $4.1 trillion in purchasing power and GDP, making it one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy. This growth is driven by rising workforce participation, expanding business ownership, and increasing consumer spending. Hampton Roads reflects these same trends at the regional level, positioning the area to benefit directly from continued demographic and economic shifts — if policy and planning align with economic facts.
Hispanic participation extends far beyond traditional labor sectors. In addition to construction, hospitality, logistics and service industries, Hispanic professionals in Hampton Roads are increasingly represented in high-skill and high-growth fields, including information technology, cybersecurity, engineering, environmental science, aviation, health care, law and defense-related occupations. Hispanic professionals support maritime and military operations, contribute to shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing, advance coastal resilience and offshore wind development, strengthen aviation operations, address health care workforce shortages, and serve businesses and families across the region.
These industries are central to Hampton Roads’ long-term economic competitiveness. Hispanic professional participation reflects a shift from short-term labor dependence toward sustained talent pipelines, technical capacity and leadership within the regional workforce.
Business ownership further illustrates this economic footprint. Nationally, nearly 496,000 Latino- or Hispanic-owned employer firms generate approximately $730 billion in annual receipts.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Small Business Administration, Virginia is home to approximately 88,600 Hispanic- and Latino-owned businesses, representing 10.7% of all businesses statewide. Hampton Roads accounts for an estimated 25,000 Hispanic- and Latino-owned businesses — one of the most significant engines of small-business activity and economic resilience in the region.
Tax contributions are equally substantial. Immigrant-led households in Virginia earn approximately $64.8 billion in income annually and contribute an estimated $6.2 billion in state and local taxes and $12.1 billion in federal taxes each year. Hispanic households represent a significant share of this economic activity. These contributions fund public education, transportation infrastructure, emergency services, Social Security, Medicare and retirement systems relied upon by military service members, veterans, retirees and families across the commonwealth. The stability of these systems depends on a broad, active tax base.
Tourism provides a clear example of how Hispanic participation sustains a key regional industry. Hampton Roads’ tourism economy depends on a stable, skilled workforce and consistent consumer demand. Hispanic workers are employed throughout the tourism ecosystem — hotels, restaurants, transportation services, event venues, maintenance, logistics and customer service — supporting daily operations and service quality year-round.
The policy implications are clear. City and state leaders seeking sustained growth should invest in workforce development aligned with high-demand sectors, modernize permitting and licensing systems that affect small businesses, and expand entrepreneurship support that reflects how businesses form and scale today. Latino and Hispanic workforce participation in Hampton Roads is measurable, indispensable and integrated across sectors. It is not a future consideration — it is a present-day economic engine powering the region’s growth.
Patricia Bracknell of Norfolk is the founder and CEO of The Chamber for Hispanic Progress, serving coastal Virginia.
