Why did Latinos move to Humboldt Park?

The first wave of Puerto Rican migrants who arrived in Humboldt Park in the 1950s was largely made up of families from working=class neighborhoods around San Juan. They were seeking an affordable place to settle and raise families during a wave of economic downturn on the island. During this time, approximately 2000 Puerto Ricans moved to Humboldt Park. However, this initial wave of Puerto Ricans faced prejudice and discrimination. Real estate agencies and landlords practiced racial discrimination, steering Puerto Rican families into specific areas of the city while blocking their entry into other neighborhoods.

Despite the challenges, Puerto Ricans continued to move to Humboldt Park throughout the 1960s and 1970s, transforming it into a Latino-majority community. By 1970, the neighborhood's population of approximately 80,000 included over 35,000 Puerto Ricans, making Humboldt Park the largest Puerto Rican community in the Midwest.

In the late 1980s and 1990s, a new wave of Latino immigrants began settling in Humboldt Park. These newcomers mainly came from Mexico, Guatemala, and Central and South America. Although the area became increasingly diverse, Puerto Rican culture remained predominant in the community.