In 1955, Langley Park was "the fastest growing trade area in Metropolitan Washington", with 200,000 people located within a radius. Affordable housing attracted a community consisting mostly of young couples with families. In the following decades, Langley Park became a white middle-class enclave that was mostly Jewish."Langley Park: Coping With Change," by Gwen Ifill, The Washington Post, Aug 26, 1984, p. 35. By the 1960s, the Jewish community of Langley Park had already begun to decline. During the 1970s, after desegregation, increasing numbers of African Americans moved into the community. Although some established families remained, the white population declined due to white flight to the outer suburbs. In 1970, the first language of 6.1 percent was Spanish; by 1980 that number had climbed to 13.4 percent."Langley Park Bridging Age and Language Gaps," by Keith Harriston, The Washington Post, Nov 14, 1987, p. E1. During the 1980s, Hispanic and Caribbean immigrants from countries such as El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Jamaica and elsewhere in the West Indies led a new wave of migration into the community. In addition, Asian and African immigrants from places like Vietnam, India, Ethiopia and Nigeria settled into the area. It proved to be an attractive locale for immigrants due to the availability of affordable housing that could also accommodate families. The integration of these new groups into Langley Park reflected a larger trend of increased migration to the Greater Washington area during the 1980s and 1990s. By 1990, the area was 40 percent Hispanic."Hispanics Carve Niche in P.G.," by Jim Naughton, The Washington Post, August 19, 1991, p. A1.
In 1955 Langley Park was "the fastest growing trade area in Metropolitan Washington" with 200000 people located within a radius Affordable housing attracted a community consisting mostly of young couples with families In the following decades Langley Park became a white middle-class enclave that was mostly Jewish"Langley Park Coping With Change" by Gwen Ifill The Washington Post Aug 26 1984 p 35 By the 1960s the Jewish community of Langley Park had already begun to decline During the 1970s after desegregation increasing numbers of African Americans moved into the community Although some established families remained the white population declined due to white flight to the outer suburbs In 1970 the first language of 61 percent was Spanish; by 1980 that number had climbed to 134 percent"Langley Park Bridging Age and Language Gaps" by Keith Harriston The Washington Post Nov 14 1987 p E1 During the 1980s Hispanic and Caribbean immigrants from countries such as El Salvador Mexico Guatemala Colombia Bolivia Peru Jamaica and elsewhere in the West Indies led a new wave of migration into the community In addition Asian and African immigrants from places like Vietnam India Ethiopia and Nigeria settled into the area It proved to be an attractive locale for immigrants due to the availability of affordable housing that could also accommodate families The integration of these new groups into Langley Park reflected a larger trend of increased migration to the Greater Washington area during the 1980s and 1990s By 1990 the area was 40 percent Hispanic"Hispanics Carve Niche in PG" by Jim Naughton The Washington Post August 19 1991 p A1