Largest U.S. city with a majority-Hispanic population - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue is a great example of a trivia-based question that tests your knowledge of U.S. geography and demographics. It's a straightforward clue without any wordplay, asking for a specific, verifiable fact. The challenge lies in recalling or deducing the correct city from a list of potential candidates.

Clue Analysis

The clue has two distinct components that must both be satisfied:

1. "Largest U.S. city": This refers to the city with the highest population that meets the second criterion.
2. "with a majority-Hispanic population": This means that over 50% of the city's residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.

This is a crucial distinction. Many large U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York have enormous Hispanic populations, but those populations do not constitute a majority of the city's total residents. Conversely, many cities have a majority-Hispanic population (like El Paso, Texas, or Hialeah, Florida), but they are not the largest overall city to meet this standard.

Thinking Approaches

A solver might tackle this clue in a few ways:

1. Direct Knowledge: If you're up on your U.S. census data or geography, you might know this fact outright.

2. Geographic Elimination: Start by thinking of states with large Hispanic populations: California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and New Mexico. Then, list the largest cities in those states.

   • Los Angeles, CA: Huge Hispanic population, but not a majority.
   • Houston, TX: Large city, large Hispanic population, but not a majority.
   • Phoenix, AZ: Similar situation to Houston.
   • Miami, FL: While culturally synonymous with its Hispanic community, the city proper is smaller than other contenders, and the majority status can be complex depending on how boundaries are drawn.
   • San Antonio, TX: This city is both very large (consistently in the top 10 most populous U.S. cities) and has a well-known Hispanic majority.

3. Crossings and Pattern Recognition: This is a long answer (10 letters). Getting even a few crossing letters can be a massive help. If you see a pattern like S_N A_______, your mind might immediately jump to cities with Spanish names, which strongly aligns with the clue's demographic focus.

Background Context

The answer, San Antonio, is the seventh-most populous city in the United States and the second-most populous in Texas. Its deep Hispanic roots are a core part of its identity, dating back to its founding as a Spanish mission and colonial outpost in 1718.

It is famously home to The Alamo, an 18th-century mission that was the site of the pivotal Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Today, the city is also known for its scenic River Walk, a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, lined with shops, bars, and restaurants. The city's name is a tribute to Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day was on June 13, the day a Spanish expedition stopped in the area in 1691.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect piece of modern trivia for a crossword puzzle. It requires specific knowledge but is gettable through logical deduction and by leveraging crossing letters. It highlights a significant aspect of American demographics and points to a city with a rich, multicultural history.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This is a major city in Texas.
2. Hint 2: It's famous for its River Walk and a historic mission.
3. Hint 3: The historic mission is the site of a famous 1836 battle.
4. Hint 4: The city is named for a Catholic saint, Anthony of Padua.