This report examines the growing Latino population in Memphis and surrounding Shelby County (Tennessee), focusing on demography, Latino workers in the local economy, and a study of the needs and concerns of Hispanic immigrant women. The Hispanic population increased by 229 percent in Shelby County in the 1990s. In 2000, about half of the county's Hispanics were foreign-born, and about 70 percent were of Mexican origin. Demographic information presented includes population growth, national origin, gender, age, family structure, population under 18, educational attainment, home language and English proficiency, employment patterns, income, child poverty, and home ownership. A section on Latino employment and the local economy discusses Latino wages, concentration in unskilled and semi-skilled jobs, and males and females in various industries. In November 2001, immigrant Latinas expressed their needs and concerns at a series of meetings in Memphis. A major concern was becoming proficient in English; women saw their lack of English proficiency as a barrier to better jobs, further education, and interaction with their children's school. Latinas also expressed desires to obtain a GED, pursue higher education, and learn to drive. Other concerns were undocumented status, need for affordable child care, difficulties in adjusting to new patterns of family life, and needs for bilingual and culturally appropriate health care and social services. (Contains 65 references.) (SV)