Hispanics now the largest racial group in Texas — but not in Austin

Hispanics have become the largest racial demographic group in Texas, new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show, capping years of population shifts and providing a potential blueprint for the U.S. as it tracks toward becoming majority-minority.

In July 2022, Latinos made up 40.2% of the state's population, according to estimates, while non-Hispanic white people accounted for 39.8%. It's the first time since the mid-1800s that non-Hispanic white Texans don't compose the largest population in the state.

The shift isn't a surprise. For decades, the share of nonwhite or mixed-race Texans has grown due to immigration, interracial marriage and more people identifying with their ancestral ethnicities. In 2004, the population of non-Hispanic white people dropped below 50% for the first time in almost two centuries.

Considering those factors and Texas' large border with Mexico, the milestone isn't much of a stand-alone achievement, said state Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio. Of more significance, he said, is the potential influence that Latinos' growing population could have.

"The Hispanic population has had an influence on our food, on our culture, on our music, on our literature, on our art, on so many things, and that's wonderful," Menéndez said. "But I think where we should strive to have a bigger impact is ... what can we do to help them achieve higher numbers, proportional numbers in higher education and academia and leadership positions?"

Menéndez, who also chairs the Texas Senate Hispanic Caucus, said the numbers of Latinos across the state are not properly represented in government leadership at all levels. Hispanic populations are diverse within themselves, and Latinos subscribe to various political and ideological beliefs.

He said Texas should model itself after states he believes have done well in electing officials who are representative of the population, like California and Florida.

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White population remains largest in Austin, Travis County

The white non-Hispanic population in Austin and Travis County remains the largest racial bloc, according to July 2022 estimates, though both have higher concentrations of Latinos than the U.S. overall.

Census figures show Austin's non-Hispanic white population is 47.8% of the city's people, while its Hispanic population makes up 33.1%. Travis County's data are similar. In the U.S., non-Hispanic white people account for 58.9% of the population, whereas Hispanics make up 19.1%.

Brittney Rodriguez, chief operating officer of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said a variety of reasons contribute to the disparity between Austin and the state. As the cost of living in the city rises, Latino residents are being priced out of places they've long lived, she said, and minority-owned businesses are closing at higher rates, leading minority entrepreneurs to relocate.

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Latinos face substantial barriers in health care and education, Rodriguez added. In Austin, Latinos tend to rely heavily on public transportation, meaning they wake up earlier in the morning for work and arrive home later in the evening.

"I think those are the areas that we've got to be much more conscientious of safeguarding to ensure that the city that we love is kept intact, and the parts of the city that we love are safeguarded for future generations to also enjoy. It's what makes Austin so great," Rodriguez said.

In 2019, the median income for Hispanic households in Travis County was 2.3 times less than that of white households, according to the 2022 community health assessment for Austin and the county. The assessment also found that Latinos were most likely not to have graduated from high school compared with other racial groups.

Several recent legislative and political actions have taken aim at the intersection of education and race that could affect marginalized groups' access to higher education. Texas lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 17, which prohibits public colleges and universities in the state from maintaining or establishing diversity, equity and inclusion offices and from requiring anyone to provide DEI statements or participate in DEI training starting in 2024.

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On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling prohibiting the consideration of race in public and private college admissions nationwide, essentially overturning affirmative action initiatives. The move is expected to affect thousands of students applying for colleges and universities in Texas.

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Financial and representative deficiencies faced by Latinos have the potential to translate to widespread issues across populations, said Jacqueline Angel, a University of Texas professor of public affairs and sociology. She asserted that those who express apathy toward challenges affecting other populations will probably experience the pitfalls of those challenges, too.

"A healthier state is a more productive state, and we know that if one doesn't have access to affordable health care, as well as available health care, then that's not going to be possible," Angel said. "We need a healthy nation. We need a healthy state. We need healthy communities that bring everyone together, not tear them apart."

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Angel said people tend to fear those who are different from themselves, but Latinos are leading the charge to allay fears by demonstrating the positive benefits of a multicultural society. Rodriguez cited the role Latinos take in society as proof of those benefits.

"These men and women are an integral part of your, mine and everyone else's day-to-day," Rodriguez said. "From the food on your table to the roadways you drive on, these are the folks who are contributing so much work and making it possible."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misrepresented Hispanic population estimates in Travis County by citing estimates for the U.S. The article has been updated to contain the most accurate information.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Hispanics now the largest racial demographic in Texas — but not Austin