WORTHINGTON, Minn. — On a bustling autumn afternoon, two Guatemalan women donned in traditional embroidered skirts were seen purchasing coconut boba teas at the lively downtown Asian market. This site has undergone significant transformation over the decades; it previously functioned as a hardware store catering to farmers’ needs for tools and materials.
In recent years, immigrants from Southeast Asia, East Africa, and now predominantly from Central America have reshaped this community, which was once mostly homogenous. Currently, over 80% of the K-12 student population consists of students of color, with Spanish frequently being the first language spoken at home. Soccer has also emerged as the favored sport among children, surpassing the popularity of traditional American football.
“Everything has literally changed,” remarked Chad Cummings, a city council member and co-owner of local radio stations, including a 24/7 Spanish-language station. Immigration remains a central topic for voters this election cycle, with heated debates about its impact on communities, both large and small, across the nation.
Cummings, like many lifelong residents in this conservative region, takes pride in Worthington’s diverse culture, robust economy, and increasing population. Many of these new residents have arrived to fill jobs at the nearby pork processing plant, contributing to Worthington’s resilience in contrast to the decline experienced by many rural communities after the 1980s farm crisis.
This rapid demographic change has brought about considerable challenges, as schools, religious institutions, and law enforcement work to meet the evolving needs of this diverse population amid language and cultural barriers. Older residents and newcomers alike are faced with a fundamental question: How can distinct groups come together to form a cohesive community?
“There are many ‘us’ in Worthington,” Cummings explained. “How do we create a truly integrated community? Are we progressing towards that? Yes, in some areas, but it’s still a work in progress. Will we ever fully achieve it? I’m uncertain.” He emphasized the importance of education in the assimilation process, highlighting the pressing need to bridge the gap between the majority Anglo population and the growing minority groups.
Nearby, Julie Robinson attends the same Baptist church established by Scandinavian immigrants in the 1870s, where her grandmother once worshipped in Swedish. Two decades prior, the congregation faced dwindling attendance and hoped for the addition of five new families. Instead, they welcomed approximately 60 refugee families from Myanmar and Thailand, who now fill the Sunday service conducted in their Karen language that follows a smaller English service.
Initially, Southeast Asians began to introduce diversity to Worthington, which has witnessed roughly a 10% population growth with each census, now totaling about 14,000 residents. In Nobles County, of which Worthington is the county seat, the Latino population has nearly tripled from 2000 to 2020, climbing to over 7,200 out of 22,300 residents.
Local government institutions have been proactive, hiring bilingual staff to accommodate the predominantly Spanish-speaking clientele. While enhancements have been made to local recreational facilities, the town is currently grappling with a severe housing shortage, resulting in rent prices that rival those in metropolitan areas.
These economic and cultural transitions are visible throughout the town, reflected not only in local businesses but also in sports, where baseball diamonds have been converted into soccer fields, blending contemporary life with the backdrop of falling leaves and corn husks.
Latinos and other immigrants have historically migrated from border states such as Texas and California to invigorate Midwest towns like Worthington. They are drawn not only by job opportunities but also by the quiet, welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of places where they can leave doors unlocked and live at a more relaxed pace, according to historians.
Longtime residents have developed a taste for glazed donuts from the now-closed Lang’s Bakery, while their Latino counterparts express a fondness for new varieties of fresh bread, from jalapeño loaves to walnut rolls. Following services at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, chairman Abebe Abetew commented that the congregation’s new worship space evokes memories of home for many East Africans, who feel an essence of familiarity.
Many newcomers, like Cristina Cabrera, who escaped poverty in Central America three years ago, appreciate their proximity to familiar faces. “It feels like my town in Guatemala here; they are my fellow countrymen,” she noted about the clients at the local El Mexicano grocery store.
Similarly, Denis Miranda and Oralia Garril were pleasantly surprised by the vibrant community of fellow Guatemalans they discovered in Worthington. With a shared language enabling easier communication, they feel no immediate pressure to achieve fluency in English.
Reflecting on the experiences of earlier waves of immigrants from Northern and Central Europe, these newer residents face uncertainty about their future in Worthington. Some are undocumented, which adds to their precarious status and raises questions about the community’s social dynamics and the ability to weave together distinct cultural identities.
“Conversations are necessary, but they must be conducted thoughtfully,” remarked a local researcher. “This process will be gradual and may face hurdles along the way.”
At St. Mary’s Catholic Church, community needs are acknowledged through separate masses in English and Spanish to respect different worship practices, according to Rev. Tim Biren, who has served as pastor for a year. He actively reaches out to the growing Hispanic congregation while attempting to engage more Anglo families through various community activities.
First Lutheran Church, established by Swedish immigrants, previously accommodated the Ethiopian Orthodox community in its lower levels for eight years. While some church members were less receptive to the accompanying vibrant music, most adhered to their commitment to welcoming newcomers. Continuing involvement includes assistance to hundreds of newcomers with necessities ranging from food to winter clothing.
In Worthington High School restrooms, signs in English and Spanish direct students to resources for essential items like backpacks and toiletries. However, meeting newcomers’ fundamental needs extends beyond material goods. The community benefits from free programs focused on various aspects of adjustment, including swimming safety lessons—important after a recent incident in which a drowning occurred at the local lake—and guidance with job applications and school enrollment processes.
Driving education has also become a priority, as many immigrants are unfamiliar with local traffic laws. A new Minnesota law that allows undocumented migrants to apply for driver’s licenses has sparked community efforts to facilitate this transition. Law enforcement is striving to build trust among immigrants, aiming to ensure that minor infractions do not escalate into larger issues.
Additionally, concerns about potential exploitation by traffickers of undocumented individuals, particularly unaccompanied minors, remain present within the community. Over the last decade, nearly 800 unaccompanied migrant children were released to sponsors in Nobles County, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by these young residents.
Among them is Emerson Lopez, who immigrated from Guatemala as an 11-year-old with his sister. Now a high school student, he continues to adjust to life in the United States, balancing his linguistic skills in both Spanish and English.
Despite growing pains, schools in Worthington are viewed as a beacon of hope for many families. Before the pandemic, student enrollment was at an all-time high, leading to significant crowding at the elementary level. While essential upgrades to facilities have been achieved, they required multiple bond votes and lengthy discussions among stakeholders.
In the context of around 3,300 students, 500 are classified as English learners, with a striking increase in the proportion of students of color from 29% in 1999 to 82% in the current year. Many students face language barriers, especially those who arrive as adolescents, while their parents often juggle multiple employment commitments, leaving them with limited time to engage in their children’s education.
Nevertheless, some students transition so well that they return as educators themselves. Instructor TahSoGhay Collah, who faced her own language struggles upon her arrival at age 10, now teaches third-grade English learners at the newly-built school, expressing her joy in returning to her hometown.
A long-serving instructor remarked on the notable shift in the classroom environment over the years. She observed that students now easily accept classmates from diverse backgrounds without hesitation.
Community showcases of culture and inclusion occurred recently during a joint concert held at the high school, where hundreds of participants gathered to perform various folk songs alongside national classics.
In this evolving landscape, the local community remains hopeful that increased engagement from parents of all ethnicities will fortify their shared experiences. As one parent highlighted, mere diversity without participation does not invite true inclusion among the varied groups now coexisting in Worthington.