Thread: Census: Ariz.'s Hispanic population up 46 percent

Census: Ariz.'s Hispanic population up 46 percent
Posted on Thu, Mar. 10, 2011 08:24 PM
By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press


Jeremy Cubillo, right, cuts Tony Lara hair at Peluqueria Latinos Barber Shop on Thursday, March 10, 2011 in Mesa, Ariz.

Arizona’s Hispanic population continued to drive growth in the state in the past decade, but not quite at the sizzling pace it showed in the previous 10 years, U.S. Census Bureau figures released Thursday show.

Hispanics made up nearly 30 percent of the state's 6.4 million residents during the count that began in April 2010, up from slightly more than 25 percent during the 2000 census. That's a 46 percent growth rate for the decade; from 1990 to 2000, the Hispanic population increased by 88 percent.

The Census Bureau and state Commerce Department estimated in 2009 that about 31 percent of the state's residents were Hispanic, so it is likely the recession and the state's crackdown on illegal immigration led some to leave the state.

The estimates were off by the most in the state's major urban areas of Pima, Pinal and Maricopa counties, said longtime Arizona State University economics and demographer researcher Tom Rex.

"There's lots of things that may have caused all that, but clearly the thought was how much of the influx of Hispanics was into the major urban areas," Rex said. "Therefore it would make sense that the combination of the recession and the employers sanctions law bear that out."

The state's white, non-Hispanic population as a proportion of the total population fell to less than 58 percent from nearly 64 percent in 2000. The number of whites grew by more than 420,000, from 3.27 million to 3.69 million, but that population's 13 percent growth rate failed to keep up with the surge in Latinos.

The Census Bureau counted 6.39 million Arizonans last year, up from 5.13 million in 2000. That put Arizona in the No. 2 spot in the nation for growth, behind Nevada.

"I think that the pattern that we're seeing across the country is consistent in Arizona," said Arturo Vargas, executive director for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. "If not the majority, certainly the most significant share of the state's population growth itself is due to the increase of its Hispanic population.

"In Arizona for example, Latinos accounted for nearly half of that state's overall population increase."

Just as important is the percentage of people under 18 who are Hispanic, Vargas said. In Arizona, it's 43 percent; in Texas, 48 percent; and in California, 51 percent of the young people are of Hispanic origin.

That's a cautionary tale for Arizona politicians who are pushing crackdowns on illegal immigrants, Vargas said.

"I think it's reasonable to assume that the anti-immigrant, which many Latinos perceive as anti-Latino, sentiment, is having an effect on Arizona's children," he said. "I think that probably will affect their views on their political participation when they then 18."

Arizona's accelerated growth rate slowed with the mid-decade housing crisis, but the state still grew faster than any other except Nevada.

The new census figures show Pinal was Arizona's fastest-growing county between 2000 and 2010, with the town of Maricopa leading with a giant 4,000 percent population increase.

Maricopa, about 40 miles south of Phoenix, was a crossroads farming town of just 1,040 residents in 2000. It exploded to 43,482 as it became a poster child for suburban growth.

The phenomenal growth in small towns that were on the outskirts of suburban Phoenix a decade ago was not unexpected. But the sheer numbers surprised even demographers who were expecting big increases.

Other top cities or towns for percentage gains were Surprise with 281 percent and Buckeye with 678 percent.

Pinal County grew by 109 percent, from 179,727 to 375,770. Other counties that showed large growth were Mohave with 29 percent and Yavapai with 26 percent, Maricopa with 24 percent and Santa Cruz with 23.6 percent.

Tiny Greenlee in southeastern Arizona was the only county to lose residents. It went from 8,547 to 8,437.

Thursday's detailed breakdown will be used by an independent redistricting commission to draw nine congressional districts and 30 state legislative districts. Each congressional district must contain about 710,000 people. Arizona earned its ninth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives because of a population surge that added 1.26 million residents to the state in the last decade.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/10/27 ... rylink=rss#ixzz1GGRV35HA

That's the thing, even with the new laws they just won't go away. They would rather stay where everyone resents them.

Originally Posted by thedramaofmylife

That's the thing, even with the new laws they just won't go away. They would rather stay where everyone resents them.

Those people have no respect for U.S. laws, because they are so use to living with criminal actions, and they know no other way of life.

I have had some to tell me they would rather stay in America prisons than to return to their homelands.

The problem is too much U.S. encouragements, and the issue will never cease, in fact it will become much worst, if America do not Wise Up!!!

As the majority of them have U.S. citizen anchor babies, with every need provided for by working taxpayers, they feel they are entitled to stay.

Originally Posted by thedramaofmylife

That's the thing, even with the new laws they just won't go away. They would rather stay where everyone resents them.

The Census data was before their new law. Once they start implementing and enforcing SB 1070, then any portion of that growth stemming from illegal immigration should be declining dramatically.

Votes being stolen, please take action here!


http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1207691.html#1207691
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Looks like the country of Mexico has been formally adopted as part of the U.S.

Most of them haved moved to Nevada. According to the census,
the hispanic population is now over 42 percent of the total population in Las Vegas. The census was last year and I bet it's even higher now. More like 50 percent.
The birth rate for hispanics is also very high here and are schools are going bankrupt and cannot keep up with the growth.

Just as important is the percentage of people under 18 who are Hispanic, Vargas said. In Arizona, it's 43 percent; in Texas, 48 percent; and in California, 51 percent of the young people are of Hispanic origin.

That's because we're not deporting the illegal alien adults like we should. Basically we're allowing them to pop out their anchors left and right. If we don't do something about this very soon, it'll be too late. Who knows, maybe it's already too late!

All we can do is continue the fight to the best of our abilities and hope for the best.