Texas Government

Explain how the population has changed in Texas and how it is projected to change in the future. (Hint: Look at the charts and graphs in Chapter 1.) In what ways might Texas’ politics change in the future based on its racial and ethnic makeup? Based on the population growth, urbanization, and economic transformation of the last two decades, how might Texas change in the next two decades? Which areas will grow in population, and what might Texas’ government have to do to respond to that growth? (Be specific)).

ANSWER

How the population has changed in Texas

Texas is characterized by high and rapid growth in its population regarding Texas’ demographics by the U.S. census bureau. In the last decade, Texas has added four million people, more than any other state in the United States. The new census has confirmed that Texas is growing and that the demographics of the population’s state are changing at an accelerating rate (Klineberg, 10). The Latino population has grown to almost equal to the non-Hispanic white population. Texas has grown to the second-largest state behind California.

The population in Texas grew by 4.3 million between 2000 and 2010. The 2018 population estimate presented by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that Texas had increased its population by 3.6 million (Potter). Despite the substantial growth over the last decades, the population increase has been unequal throughout Texas. This is because the population growth has been largely experienced in the largest cities and urban areas, considered the Texas Triangle. Population growth has not been experienced in traditional ranching and farming areas away from large urban areas. Among the cities with high population growth in Texas are Dallas, Houston, Austin, and Fort Worth. Currently, the population has continued to grow, and it’s estimated that it will continue increasing in the future. The figure below shows Texas population growth and the future estimates.

Changes in Texas Politics

Population growth tends to influence and strain political institutions. Over the years, Texas has been dominated by the Republicans, making it a one-party state. Considerably, in Texas, the population growth has been more experienced among the Hispanic populations than the non-Hispanic whites, who have been the dominant population over the years. Therefore, population growth will lead to a fast-growing Hispanic population which influences the political dimensions. Over the last two decades, the Democrats have failed to win statewide elections. However, population growth will lead to a more competitive state. The Hispanics will have more political power since the future workforce of the state, the future electorate of Texas, and the future leadership will be more of Hispanics (Murdock). Therefore, based on racial and ethnic makeup, population growth in Texas will influence the statewide political races with tightened contests among the Democrats and Republicans. Therefore, if a political party wants to win, they need to ensure that they have well-thought-out and sophisticated strategies to reach out to the Hispanic populations into their political parties.

How Texas Might Change in the Next Two Decades

Over the last two decades, Texas has experienced high population growth, economic transformation, and urbanization. Within its projections, Texas is expected to reach 47 million people by 2040, with 20 million being the Hispanic population. Analysis of urban development in Texas over the last two decades shows a high probability of high urbanization, economic transformation, and population growth in the next two decades. For instance, the population estimate shows a projected population growth by 2040, which will be around a 53.5 percent population increase (10.9 million). Much of the population growth will come from the big urban counties, which means Texas will change in terms of urbanization.

In the last 20 years, Texas has experienced an economic transformation. The demographics and geographic changes have helped in shaping and lifting the economy. For instance, their border location allows for migration and trade as well as help increase their job and population growth. Relatively, the economic performance of Texas has been largely driven by changes in the oil prices. Over the years, there has been job growth and demand for housing, goods, and services like education. These will play a major role in changing Texas due to expansions of institutions, business and creating jobs in both public and private sectors, thus leading a healthy economic growth.

Texas Government Response to Population Growth

Demographic changes can have positive or negative effects depending on how they are handled. There has been significant population growth in Texas, and that change might increase income inequality and poverty. Texas is experiencing more growth in urban areas than in rural areas, leading to overpopulation in the cities. The government should begin taking measures to respond to growth in the urban areas. For instance, they can focus on creating companies in rural areas and offering more job opportunities in the rural areas to reduce domestic migration into the urban areas. These initiatives will help in boosting the economy in rural areas and reduce population growth in urban areas.

The future population growth is expected that the Hispanic population will continue to grow extremely. They have already become a dominant force in Texas and are expected to be the majority group by 2040. Currently, the Hispanic population is above all other ethnic groups in the urban areas. Since Hispanics are more likely to dominate Texas in the future, the government should focus on achieving racial equality and racial diversity to create a healthy and equal state.

The majority of the growing population are young adults. The low level of education in Texas might cripple economic growth. Therefore, there is a need for the government to raise the level of education, which greatly contributes to income growth. Increasing the level of education boosts the development, competitiveness, and economic growth of a state.

In summation, Texas’ population has been growing over the years, making it the second-largest state in the United States. Population growth has been high in the urban areas, especially the Texas Triangle. In the last two decades, the Hispanic population has been growing extremely and will continue to grow as the population of Texas increases. The population growth will cause changes in Texas politics, with the Democrats gaining more power. With regards to the population projections, the Texas government needs to focus on responses that will promote its growth and development rather than challenges for the future of Texas.

Works Cited

Klineberg, S. L. “The changing face of Texas and America.” Fort Worth Business Press (2016): 10.

Murdock, Steve H., et al. Changing Texas: Implications of addressing or ignoring the Texas challenge. Texas A&M University Press, 2013.

Potter, Lloyd B., and Nazrul Hoque. “Texas population projections, 2010 to 2050.” Office of the State Demographer 4 (2014).