Chester County is one of Pennsylvania's three original counties, founded by William Penn in 1682. Southern Chester County, the mushroom capital of the world, produces more than one-quarter of all the mushrooms grown in the United States. The area's abundant labor needs have attracted mainly Mexican immigrants over the years. Mile after mile of rolling hills, valleys, horse farms and covered bridges have also made the county a popular new home and vacation destination for middle and upper class families.

Kennett Square is the hub of Chester County with a population of 5,273 - 27 percent of whom are Hispanic. The area has experienced explosive growth in the past decade; for example, New Garden's population increased by 67 percent. The county's popularity has caused land and home prices to skyrocket. In 1999, the median sales price for a home was $179,900 compared to the national average of $133,300. As a result, affordable housing is severely lacking, particularly for the area's immigrant farm laborers.