It confirmed the expected demographic shift in the state of Texas, where Latinos now make up the largest share of the population. The U.S. Census Bureau recently confirmed that Latinos are the state’s largest ethnicity since July 2022, outnumbering white residents by about 129,000 people. This demographic milestone reflects a population boom driven by the growth of Latinos in recent decades.

Texas had a white majority from 1850 until 2004, when the share of whites in the population dropped to less than 50 percent. Since then, people of color, especially Latinos, have been responsible for the state’s population gains. This growth has turned once-predominantly white areas into pockets of diversity, impacting schools and the workforce. Latinos are expected to become the absolute majority of the state’s population in the coming decades, and most of Texas’ children will soon be of Hispanic origin.

However, despite population growth, Latinos in Texas face significant economic and educational challenges. They are twice as likely to live below the poverty line compared to white residents and are less likely to have completed higher education. While 95 percent of white adults have at least a high school diploma, only 70 percent of Latino adults hold that qualification. In addition, the median income  of Latino households is significantly lower than that of white households, according to the Texas Tribune article.

These persistent disparities demonstrate that the state of Latinos in Texas has not changed substantially. Policymakers emphasize the need to invest in institutions and organizations that empower Latinos with the skills they need to get well-paying jobs and access to essential services. In addition, census data underscore the importance of ensuring political, cultural, and economic opportunities for this significant population.

Although Texas is becoming increasingly multicultural, the focus in census estimates is on the growing Latino population and the political and social implications of that. The Tribune’s text highlights the need for policies that meet the needs of Latinos, especially in the context of legislative initiatives that could harm this community. Democratic lawmakers express pride in the growth of Latinos in the state, but also emphasize the need for policy changes that consider Texas’ demographic diversity.

“Texas is coming off a series of legislative sessions dominated by Republican-led initiatives that raised concerns among legislators like Neave Criado for their potential to harm Latinos. That included an effort to restrict how current events and the country’s history of racism can be taught in Texas schools. Republican lawmakers then redrew the state’s political maps in a manner that gave voters of color less say in who represents them in districts across the state. More recently, the state Legislature banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices in public universities. Later this year, lawmakers are expected to take up a debate over public school funding”, according to the publication.