GOVT 2306 Lecture 2

Population Statistics of Texas

  • Historic Population Growth

    • 1850: 215,000

    • 1900: 3 million

    • 1990: 17 million

    • February 2010: 26 million

    • After 2020 Census: Approximately 30 million

    • Growth from 215,000 in 1850 to 30 million today highlights significant demographic changes.

  • Predictions for Future Growth

    • Expected to double in about 50 years due to current trends.

  • Comparison with California

    • California (2010): 37.3 million

    • California (2020): Approximately 40 million

    • California's population growth slowed, leading to loss of seats in U.S. House of Representatives.

Demographics of Texas

  • Median Age

    • 2010: Median age was 33.6 compared to national average of 37.2.

    • Currently may be around 36-37 as Texas attracts seniors for retirement due to a lower cost of living compared to places like Florida and California.

  • Birth Rate

    • Texas: Second highest birth rate in the nation, tied with Alaska and North Dakota.

    • Growth primarily driven by births from women crossing the border for U.S. citizenship for their newborns.

Comparison with Other States

  • Top Birth Rates

    • Texas: Second place.

    • Utah consistently ranks first mainly due to cultural factors, such as higher fertility rates among Mormons.

  • Urban vs. Rural Living

    • 1940 marked a significant demographic shift towards urbanization; for the first time, over 50% of the population lived in metropolitan areas.

    • Today, approximately 85% of Texas residents live in urban areas.

Economic Overview

  • Harris County Population Growth

    • 2010: 4.1 million

    • 2015: 4.5 million

    • 2020: 4.77 million; projected to be around 5 million now.

  • Texas Manufacturing

    • From the 7th largest to the 2nd largest manufacturing state due to NAFTA.

  • Exports

    • Annual exports before 2015: Approximately $280 billion, with 45.4% going to Canada and Mexico (majority to Mexico).

Agricultural Sector

  • Shift in Employment

    • 1940: 17% of adults worked in agriculture support services despite only 2% living on farms by 1998.

    • Technology reduced the need for manual labor on farms.

  • Cattle Production

    • Texas has been the largest cattle producer in the U.S. consistently.

Urbanization Trends

  • Process of Urbanization

    • Urbanization is defined as the movement of people from rural areas to cities, which has been a continuous trend since the 1940s in Texas.

  • Implications of Urbanization

    • Discusses potential risks of population consolidation in urban areas from a national security perspective.

Economic Triangle of Texas

  • Geographic and Economic Significance

    • The Texas Economic Triangle formed by Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston accounts for 60% of the population and a significant portion of economic activities, although it only occupies 10% of the state's area.

Political and Economic Definitions

  • Political Economy

    • The interrelationship between politics and the economy, affecting each other.

  • Political Elite

    • A small group dominating the political process, contrasted with Texas's ethos of electing politicians who do not overstay their welcome.

  • Provincialism

    • Describes individuals with a limited view focused on their immediate community rather than broader issues.

  • Populism

    • Advocacy for government actions promoting equality and order.

  • Urbanization Defined

    • The ongoing trend of increasing populations in cities, which began over 80 years ago and continues to rise.

Wrap-up and Future Sessions

  • Wrap-up of the session with an invitation for students to prepare for the next class, focusing on chapter two.

Population Statistics of Texas

Historic Population Growth

  • 1850: 215,000

  • 1900: 3 million

  • 1990: 17 million

  • February 2010: 26 million

  • After 2020 Census: Approximately 30 millionThe population growth from 215,000 in 1850 to around 30 million today underscores significant demographic changes driven by aspects such as economic opportunities, immigration patterns, and natural increase. The state's diverse economy, education opportunities, and favorable climate continue to attract residents from other states and countries.

Predictions for Future Growth

  • Texas is expected to double its population in approximately 50 years, reaching an estimated 60 million by 2070 if current growth trends persist. Factors influencing this growth include a high fertility rate, migration from other states, and an influx of international residents.

Comparison with California

  • California:

    • 2010: 37.3 million

    • 2020: Approximately 40 millionCalifornia's population growth has slowed significantly in recent years, resulting in the state losing seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This shift contrasts with Texas, which continues to gain political representation due to its expanding population.

Demographics of Texas

Median Age

  • 2010: Median age was 33.6 compared to the national average of 37.2.

  • Currently, the median age may be around 36-37 as Texas attracts seniors for retirement due to lower living costs, favorable tax policies, and a diverse recreational environment compared to states like Florida and California.

Birth Rate

  • Texas has the second highest birth rate in the nation, tied with Alaska and North Dakota, reflecting a youthful population.

  • This growth is driven primarily by births among women crossing the border for U.S. citizenship for their newborns, as well as high fertility rates within certain communities, contributing to Texas's dynamic demographic composition.

Comparison with Other States

  • Top Birth Rates:

    • Texas: Second

    • Utah consistently ranks first, mainly due to cultural factors influencing higher fertility rates among its predominantly Mormon population.

Urban vs. Rural Living

  • 1940 marked a significant demographic shift towards urbanization in Texas, as for the first time, over 50% of the population resided in metropolitan areas.

  • Today, approximately 85% of Texas residents live in urban areas, with major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin driving growth and development.

Economic Overview

Harris County Population Growth

  • 2010: 4.1 million

  • 2015: 4.5 million

  • 2020: 4.77 million; projected to be around 5 million now, highlighting continued urbanization trends and economic development in the region.

Texas Manufacturing

  • Texas has risen from being the 7th largest to the 2nd largest manufacturing state in the U.S. largely as a result of NAFTA, which facilitated trade with Mexico and Canada, leading to increased industrial growth and job opportunities.

Exports

  • Prior to 2015, annual exports from Texas were approximately $280 billion, with 45.4% going to Canada and Mexico, showcasing Texas's strong international trade position, particularly with Mexico as its largest trading partner.

Agricultural Sector

Shift in Employment

  • In 1940, 17% of adults worked in agriculture support services despite only 2% of the population living on farms by 1998. Advances in technology have drastically reduced the need for manual labor on farms.

Cattle Production

  • Texas has consistently held the title of the largest cattle producer in the U.S., benefiting from ample land and favorable climatic conditions for raising livestock.

Urbanization Trends

Process of Urbanization

  • Urbanization, defined as the movement of people from rural areas to cities, has been a continuous trend since the 1940s in Texas. This ongoing shift is influenced by economic opportunities, improved living standards, and access to amenities.

Implications of Urbanization

  • The concentration of population in urban areas poses potential risks, including challenges to infrastructure, housing, transportation, and national security concerns stemming from population consolidation.

Economic Triangle of Texas

Geographic and Economic Significance

  • The Texas Economic Triangle, formed by Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston, accounts for 60% of the population and a significant portion of economic activities in the state, despite occupying only 10% of Texas's total area.

Political and Economic Definitions

Political Economy

  • The interrelationship between politics and the economy significantly impacts policy-making and resource allocation within the state.

Political Elite

  • A small group that dominates the political process in Texas, contrasting with the state's ethos of electing politicians who do not overstay their welcome. This reflects a broader desire for political accountability.

Provincialism

  • Describes individuals who maintain a limited view focused primarily on their immediate community, demonstrating a potential challenge to broader statewide initiatives.

Populism

  • Advocacy for government actions that promote equality and order, resonating with many Texas residents across diverse demographics.

Urbanization Defined

  • The trend of increasing populations in cities, which began over 80 years ago and shows no signs of reversing, leading to more urban-centric policies and planning in Texas.

Wrap-up and Future Sessions

  • The session will conclude with an invitation for students to prepare for the next class, which will focus on chapter two, highlighting key themes and discussions relevant to Texas's ongoing demographic and economic changes.