Texas Demographic Changes

Over the past two decades, there has been a significant upward increase in population transition in the United States. Statistical data suggests that the aging demographic, as well as the general population for Hispanics and blacks, may have resulted in the displacement of minority communities (Murdock, Cline and Zey 106) Texas, the second-largest state in the United States in terms of population and regional scale, has also been affected. Given the projection that its population may double by 2050, it is important to note that the number of inhabitants of Texas has a growth rate that surpasses that of the nation, with its racial composition including Non-Hispanic white, Blacks, Hispanics of all races and Non-Hispanic of other races (Murdock, Cline and Zey 106). The change in pattern of this racial composition and the concomitant growth in population impact this State in various ways, ranging from distribution of natural resources to the living standard of the citizenry. The way the government has tried to manage the surge in population seems counterproductive as it is hard to get a clear cut census record of the population. As a state with diverse citizenry, we seek to analyze the pattern in which this demography is changing.
The most identifiable pattern in the demographics of Texas is an increase in immigrants and a decrease in whites and blacks (Smith, Tayman and Swanson 10). The transformation does not indicate a reduction in the Whites and Black population, rather an encompassing consideration to the demographics of the state of Texas. Though the largest population growth was recorded 50 years ago, driven by the oil boom of 1970 to 1980s, there has been a 27% growth in the population according to the census of 2010 (Murdock, Cline and Zey 107). The growth projection is registered due to an increasing rate of immigrants streaming in Texas. Though it is difficult to document illegal migrants, the number of foreign-born citizens who settle in Texas by naturalization has also doubled the past figure. Due to the conditions brought about by the changing demographics, there is a considerable decrease in domestic migrants getting into Texas. In terms of age, there is a decrease in the number of babies due to an increase in infant mortality rate and the decrease of fertility rate with couples giving birth at the rate of one kid per woman. The mortality rate is, however, high in blacks than in whites.
The noticeable demographic category is the Immigrants population due to its considerable impact on the overall populace (Bouvier and Martin n.p). All factors constant, the population of Texas could increase to about 40 million from the 2010’s 25million, exclusive of the immigrant population, which would increase the number to about 54 million in 2050. The value is with an underscore error registered proportionately with illegal immigrants that go unregistered. Also, as Texas metropolis develops, there is a noticeable migration from rural to urban (Potter n.p). Though quite a number of aging men are quitting their jobs to settle at the country sides, it is still insufficient to say that the urban population is in a downward trajectory.
The streaming of immigrants and migrants in Texas was associated with the oil boom during 1970s and hospitality of the city (Smith, Tayman and Swanson 8). However, the rise in immigrant numbers is a consequence of immigration policies and the city’s proximity to Mexico and other Central American republic, coupled with poor border securities. Immigration docket lies with the federal government who decide on who gets to the country according to their needs. The pours border of Mexico allows many Mexicans, fleeing the wraths of the Mexican drug cartels into Texas. For domestic immigrants, the rich natural resource and abundant land attact those who desire to live a country life.
Consequently, this change makes it difficult to allocate resources to the people of Texas due to the high level of illegal immigrants (Bouvier and Martin n.p). Help programs available tend to be selectively when it comes choosing those to support. On education, the growing numbers of children to enroll for public schools will be striking, thus, overstretch the institutional resources to provide better education. Children will also be forced to adapt to the new cultural shift as English a once majority language will be downplayed by diversity and the increase in Hispanic children. It will be hard to distribute medical and other essential services under the government of Texas. Given that the federal government support states and given that census will underscore the numbers proportionately to the illegal immigrants, Texas may not get a fair share. The surging population of immigrants is also posing a great challenge in the transport industry. Freeways, railroad track and mass transit will be overstretched with no maintenance finances allocated to them due to the high population to be supported. The problem is not good for sustainable development either, as the number of registered vehicles will increase, thus, increase the carbon footprint. The government will be forced to deal with problems such as chronicle diseases associated with it.
Another associated problem with this population surge is crime and prison population (Murdock, Cline and Zey 108). The Texas prison population will increase considerably. Drug related crimes will also increase. While there are noticeable instances of structural inequalities in the city, ranging from over policing of the communities of color, inequitable distribution of resources and unemployment that are sources of strain for the youths who seek to earn a living, and thus crime, illegal immigrant and infiltration of Texas with the Mexican gangs like the Sinaloa Drug Cartel due to unreliable immigration policies and the porous Mexican border are responsible for increased crime rate.
Introduction of more responsive immigration policies is the first step in the near-term reduction of immigrant population (Murdock, Cline and Zey 67). The state can also adopt policies that reduce incentive of illegal immigrants. Introduction of fraud-proof identifications will help repatriate illegal immigrants. It will also allow the government to get water-tight proof for citizenry. Also, the state can help the Federal government to reduce job opportunities for illegal immigrants.
The change in immigrant population has far reaching consequences on the government of Texas, ranging from economic, political and education (Bouvier and Martin n.p). The increase in Hispanic population among immigrants is neutralizing the population slowly, turning Texas into a less majority State. By this very fact, the state of Texas is changing into a cosmopolitan, in which political leadership is not centered on one race. When there will be a high Hispanic population, the partisan politics may shift to more democrat than republican, given that the democrats have friendly policies on immigrants, more liberal and acknowledge the concomitant changes that occur in the modern world. Additionally, they also advocate for equitable distribution of wealth and resources. The socialist programs that democrats have sponsored over the years like free health care and education programs are in line with Hispanic and black communities that blame the white supremacist for their predicaments.
In conclusion, the levels of population in Texas as it stands, is unprecedentedly high. With the array of economic problems; inflation and unemployment, it is in order to move fast with appropriate intervention. The heterogeneity of races is desirable as a matter of knowledge in practice that stems from diversity. However, if structural inequalities are not checked, we might be taking an end of a generation as we know it. Initiatives that are responsive to all races in Texas will not only ensure that social control mechanisms for reducing inadequacies of an increasing population are increased, but rather they will also ensure the achievement of a more stable and predictable population. Education and employment programs will improve the living standards of the city’s inhabitants, thus, encourage development to sustainable levels.

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Bouvier, Leon and John Martin. Shaping Texas: The Effects of Immigration, 1970-2020. 1 April 2015. Web. 16 October 2017 .
Murdock, Steve H., et al. Changing Texas: Implications of Addressing or Ignoring the Texas Challenge. Texas: Texas A&M University Press, 2014. Print.
Potter, Llyod. Texas Demographic Center. 14 September 2017. Web. 16 October 2017 .
Smith, Stanley K., Jeff Tayman and David A. Swanson. A Practitioner’s Guide to State and Local Population Projections. New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013. Print.