New population estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau Thursday show Wisconsin's Hispanic population has increased by 41 percent since 2000.

The figures show nearly 5 percent of the state's population is Hispanic. That's about 272,000 people.

In that same period, from 2000 to July 1, 2007, the state's African-American population increased 9% to 337,493, or about 6% of the state's population.

The growth in the Hispanic population isn't unique to Wisconsin, but reflects a national demographic trend.

State Representative Pedro Colon, who was born in Puerto Rico, says the values of Latinos are aligned to Wisconsin. He says it's a culture that rewards hard work.