Census 2000: Dramatic Growth in Texas Latino Population
San Antonio, TX - The results of Census 2000 for the state of Texas confirmed the growing presence of Latinos throughout the state. With the overall population of Texas increasing 22.8% to 20,851,820, those identifying as either Hispanic or Latino represented 32% of the population at 6,669,666, up from 4,339,905 or 25.5%. In all, Latinos experienced a 53.7% increase in population throughout Texas. Furthermore, Latinos represented 60.3% of the total population growth.
On a county level, the top five concentrations of Latino population are Harris, Bexar, Dallas, El Paso, and Hidalgo. With the highest Latino population, Harris County is home to approximately 1.1 million Latinos, representing 32.9% of the county's total population. Bexar County is second with its Latino population at 757,033 or 54.3% of the total population. See the chart below for the top twenty Latino populated counties in order from highest populated to lowest.
The 2000 Census shows that Latinos are primarily concentrated in six metropolitan areas representing 73.1% of the total Texas Latino population at a little under 4.9 million: Austin Metro (Williamson, Travis, and Hays Counties), Dallas-Fort Worth Metro (Tarrant, Dallas, Collin, and Denton Counties), El Paso Metro (El Paso County), Houston Metro (Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, and Galveston Counties), the Rio Grande Valley (Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties), and San Antonio Metro (Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal Counties).
In the Austin Metro Area, also known as the Austin "Silicon Valley", Latinos represent 25.9% of the population at 300,897, up from 20.5% in '90. Of the political representation, at the federal level, 3 congressional districts fall within Austin Metro, in '90, none were majority Latino districts. At the state legislative level, in '90, out of the 8 State Representative and 2 State Senate districts, 0 were Latino majority, although Sen. Barrientos is elected out of a 40% minority district.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area, Latinos have made substantial demographic gains. Currently, Latinos represent 22.9% of the total population at 1,051,148, up from 13.8% in '90. Of the political representation at the federal level, 7 congressional districts fall within Dallas-Ft. Worth Metro, in '90, none were Latino majority seats. At the state legislative level, in '90, 5 out of the 34 State Representative districts were Latino majority with 3 electing a non-Latino (District 90, 103, 107). In '90, 0 of the 9 State Senate seats were Latino majority seats.
In the El Paso Metro Area, Latinos currently comprise 78.2% of the population at 531,654, up from 69.6% in '90. Of the political representation, at the federal level, 2 congressional districts fall within El Paso Metro, in '90, both were Latino majority. At the state legislative level, in '90, 4 out of the 5 State Representative districts were Latino majority seats with the one outlier at 47% (District 78). 3 of the 5 elect a Latino. 1 of the 2 State Senate seats was Latino majority with the other at 37%. Neither elect a Latino.
In the Houston Metro Area, Latinos have made the most impressive gains. Currently, Latinos represent a 29.3% of the total population at 1,331,774, up from 21.1% in '90. Of the political representation, at the federal level, 7 congressional districts fall within the Houston Metro, in '90, 1 was Latino majority. At the state legislative level, 4 out of the 33 State Representative districts were Latino majority. 1 Latina is elected out of a non-Latino majority district (Rep. Olivo) and 1 non-Latino is elected out of a majority Latino district (Rep. Bailey) at 65%. Additionally, in '90, 2 districts had high Latino %'s, District 137 at 43% and District 138 at 34%. 1 of the 9 State Senate seats was Latino majority.
In the Rio Grande Valley Metro, Latinos represent 87.4% of the population at 855,323, up from 84.7% in '90. Of the political representation, at the federal level, 4 congressional districts fall within the Rio Grande Metro, in '90, all four were Latino majority. At the state legislative level, out of the 7 State Representative and the 3 State Senate districts, all were Latino majority seats.
In the San Antonio Metro Area, Latinos represent 51.6% of the total population at 804,203, up from 47.6% in '90. Of the political representation, at the federal level, 4 congressional districts fall within Bexar Metro, in '90, 3 were Latino majority. At the state legislative level, in '90, 7 of the 12 State Representative seats were Latino majority. 3 out of the 5 State Senate districts were also majority Latino. District 120 had 35% Latino population. |
