The Hall County Hispanic population surged 72 percent since 2000. But that just-released 2010 census number is only part of the story, according to those familiar with the community.

The Hispanic community saw its peak in the mid-2000s before a large portion left the county, said Arturo Corso, a Gainesville attorney and immigration advocate. And an aversion to census counting from within the population makes it difficult to know where the number really sits, he said.

"If you look at the undocumented population, I think the numbers are probably a lot larger than that," he said.

The Hispanic population grew from 27,244 in 2000 to 46,906 in 2010.

Today, the community makes up 26.1 percent of Hall County's population as opposed to 19.6 percent in the last count.

Frank Norton of real estate firm The Norton Agency, said he also expected the numbers to be higher.

Estimates from The Norton Agency projected the Hispanic population to be between 50,000 and 55,000 people. Norton said that number exceeded 65,000 in 2007.

"There was ... a little distrust of government and distrust about the count itself and a reluctance from that population to be counted," Norton said.

"We certainly saw that in 2000 when we felt that there was a severe undercount in 2000. We are overall pleased that we have now recognized this as a formidable segment of our demographics."

While Hall's Hispanic population grew 72 percent, the jumps in other North Georgia counties were drastically higher: 111 percent in Banks, 207 percent in Towns, 239 percent in Union and 313 percent in Barrow, to name a few.

Phillippa Lewis Moss, co-chairwoman of the county's Complete Count Committee, which worked to advertise the census, said while many believe the Hispanic population is migrating out of state or the U.S., she has personally known several who have moved to neighboring counties.

She said it's hard to speculate as to why that is occurring, but concerns over the enforcement of the 287(g) program as well as the North Georgia Detention Center may contribute.

"There is a great deal of discomfort among people, undocumented and documented, about that facility," she said. "It is a constant reminder that their welcome is questionable."

Moss did say she thinks this census was more accurate than the 2000 count because of increased outreach to the Hispanic community.

Corso said more than just the undocumented immigrants feel an aversion to census counting, and the community's strong focus on family has made many American citizens who are Hispanic also shy away from the census.

But when the next count arrives, the jump could be significant, Corso said, as that aversion subsides and the documented population increases.

"As the undocumented population grows older, moves back home (or) is deported forcefully ... the people who are left behind are absolutely born-and-bred U.S. citizens," he said.

The Hispanic population in Georgia increased 96 percent since 2000 and overall Hispanics make up 8.8 percent of the state's population.