Latinos set to surpass whites in California in March

[n2doc]

Melody Gutierrez
Updated 7:37 am, Thursday, January 16, 2014

California is growing older and more diverse.

The Latino population is projected to surpass that of whites in California in March to become the single largest "race or ethnic group," according to a report on shifting demographics in Gov. Jerry Brown's 2014-15 budget proposal. Also, the number of residents 65 and older will jump by 20.7 percent over the next five years, the report said.

State demographers expected Latinos to surpass the non-Hispanic white population seven months earlier, but Latino birth rates were lower than anticipated. Now, officials say, by March Latinos will make up 39 percent of California's population, edging out non-Hispanic whites at 38.8 percent. Nearly 25 years ago, non-Hispanic whites made up 57 percent of the state, while Latinos made up 26 percent.

The state's Department of Finance includes the projections in the governor's budget proposal because of the potential economic impact, such as the increase in retirees affecting the scope of services needed for an aging population, or income disparities among minority groups increasing the need for social or educational programs.

more

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Latinos-set-to-surpass-whites-in-California-in-5146876.php

[upaloopa]

1. This is a good trend because it drives the right nuts

so much so some are leaving the state.
I am glad to be living in CA. Our diversity is on of the reasons we are more progressive than other states.
Pete Wilson's anti immigrant efforts completely back fired on him.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. I love the diversity of it all.

Last edited Thu Jan 16, 2014, 02:21 PM - Edit history (1)

My area is rich with Latinos/as, Armenians, Hmong, Laotians, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistanis, Italians, Portuguese, and many other ethnic groups. It makes for great new experiences and great restaurants! (We just got our second Ethiopian restaurant that I've been dying to try. )


ETA: Latinos/as. Duh moment.

[Cleita]

3. Considering California was originally settled by Spaniards and once

was part of Mexico, I always grew livid when white people used to complain about "those people" not speaking English. I pointed out to them that the majority of name places in California are in Spanish because of our Spanish heritage.

I'm glad this is happening and since most of the "Latinos" are actually mostly Native American whose ancestors immigrated here in the last century from Mexico and other parts of Central America that's better still.

[KamaAina]

4. The first sessions of the California legislature were held en espanol

with English translation, back when San Jose was the capital.

[treestar]

5. Is this voters, or does it include everybody?

If it includes illegals who can't vote, there won't be much effect yet.

[Cleita]

7. In California, the European illegals are almost as numerous as those from south of

the border. None of them vote. Some of the so called immigrants especially in the San Joaquin Valley and other agricultural areas have been there for generations. I picked berries, when I was a teenager in the summer where many of the workers were from the local Aqua Caliente reservation. They spoke Spanish and had Spanish names because the Padres had converted them and taken away much of their culture so the white farmers and casual observers thought they were Mexican.

[Le Taz Hot]

8. "illegals?"

Oy!

[treestar]

13. Is it voters, or do they count everyone who lives there

even if they are not qualified to vote? That was the point.

I've heard that term for 30 years or more, it was only declared offensive last year, please excuse me. I hope you get to feel superior for a whole 10 minutes. If you were to make that mistake, I would have passed it over - I'm not going out of my way to be judgmental - funny how I thought that was a liberal trait. But I've decided that's wrong. Liberals can be assholes too.

[Le Taz Hot]

18. It's not used here in CA among enlighted individuals.

A more enlightened term is "undocumented workers" or, as I like to call them, "people."

[hunter]

11. WTF?

[Luminous Animal]

16. No human is illegal. I jaywalk all the time. Does that make me an illegal?

[redqueen]

6. Mexica pride!

[snooper2]

9. You can thank the Pope!

[BigDemVoter]

10. Excellent News

Diversity is always good. I can't wait for it to happen in Texas as well!

[hunter]

12. It's been that way for a long time in much of California.

I don't feel at home anywhere else.

It's just feels weird to me visiting a place where everyone is white and speaking English.

[Tikki]

14. We have no problem with that…let's keep our schools strong...

the little ones will be attending…


The Tikkis

[Starry Messenger]

15. I love our state.

I wish there were subsidized language lessons for oldies like me who would like to be more proficient in Spanish, many of my students are bilingual.

Latino/a voters tend to be more politically engaged and left-wing, which bodes well for our political futures.

[Luminous Animal]

17. I downloaded the duolingo free app and slogging througj

my daughters text books. Next semester, I'm going to take Spanish at the community college. I'm 56 and excited about doing this.