Hispanics outnumber White Texans by about 129,000.
QUICK FACTS:
- Updated census data reveals that Hispanics outnumber Caucasian residents in the state of Texas.
- Texas had a White majority since 1850, although the Caucasian population began to drop off beginning in 2004.
- Hispanic Texans consist of 40.2% of the state population as of July 2022.
- White Texans make up 39.8% of the state population.
- Census data also shows that 49.3% of all Texans under the age of 18 are Hispanic.
DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE NON-WHITE MAJORITY:
- Despite the demographic data, officials are calling upon White citizens to hand over more political power.
- “When you have individuals who have not walked in our shoes refusing to acknowledge that racism exists, that there have been historical barriers in our state, to me it’s a very coordinated attempt to hold onto their power for as long as possible and refusing to acknowledge that we are the state’s destiny,” said Texas state Representative Victoria Neave Criado (D), according to the Texas Tribune.
- Criado, who chairs the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, urged for policies to become more Hispanic-centric.
- “I think for me as a Latina legislator in a city and region that is thriving with Latino-owned businesses, it makes me proud,” Criado said. “I think it also highlights the need for changes in our policy.”
- Political science professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio explained that the state of Texas must accept the demographic changes and emphasize Latino success.
- “I think it speaks to the importance of state and local government to invest in their institutions and organizations that will train and equip Latinos with the skills that they need to obtain high-demand jobs, living wages, access to food, housing, and other essentials that will allow them to participate in a robust economy and would also allow them to accumulate and pass on their wealth,” Navarro stated.
BACKGROUND:
- Some of the demographic changes within Texas can be attributed to the Southern Border crisis.
- According to an analysis by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) of the most recent Census Bureau data, an estimated 16.8 million illegal immigrants live within the United States.
- The total net cost of illegal immigrants is at least $163 billion a year and is likely to increase as non-citizens use public services and government programs.
