From Deseret News archives:
Minority population is booming
Salt Lake, Utah, Weber counties have the highest numbers
The largest minority populations remained concentrated in the state's largest counties: Salt Lake had 191,429 minority residents, Utah had 46,195 and Weber had 37, 876.
However, the fastest minority growth was reported in smaller counties, such as Wasatch, where the total minority population swelled by 44.2 percent to 1,465, or about 8 percent of the total population.
The minority growth rate is especially significant when taken as a portion of the state's total population growth, said Pam Perlich, senior research economist at the University of Utah's Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
Hispanics alone accounted for 26.9 percent of the state's population growth from 2000 to 2003, up from 22.9 percent during the 1990s, Perlich said. The white, non-Hispanic population, meanwhile, accounted for 60.4 percent of the growth, which is down from the last decade.
"Given the fact (Utah) has the highest fertility rate in the nation to begin with, and this (Hispanic) group's is even greater, that means their share of the population will continue to increase," Perlich said. "That's a national trend."
There are currently four states where minorities are in the majority: Hawaii, California, New Mexico and the District of Columbia, according to the census. The report showed Texas neared that mark with a 49.5 percent minority population.
In Utah, the statewide population growth of every minority group outpaced the white, non-Hispanic rate of 3.7 percent, a continuing trend from the last decade. Pacific Islanders grew by 10 percent, Asian population grew by 15.5 percent, American Indian by 7.2 percent and black by 16.6 percent. Perlich noted that Hispanics, which grew by 15.8 percent, continue to comprise the state's largest minority, with an estimated population of 201,559.
Tony Yapias, director of the state Office of Hispanic Affairs, said he's heard estimates there's more than 250,000 for the state's Hispanic population.
"The census, regardless of the undercount we have, still gives us a pretty good indication," he said.
Comments
- Eagar denies claiming Palin tie 10:33 p.m.
- Advocate charged with sex abuse 10:33 p.m.
- BSA to host audiocast over Internet 10:32 p.m.
- W. Bountiful seeking applicants 10:32 p.m.
- First Presidency Devotional 10:32 p.m.
- Inmate charged in killing 10:31 p.m.
- 5 questions with Eddie Wide 10:30 p.m.
- NBA Sunday 10:27 p.m.
- College football: How the Top 25 fared 10:25 p.m.
- Iverson, Artest earn NBA's attention 10:18 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
307 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
246 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
189 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
188 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
104 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
Somebody may eventually break JTs record for 3s made. But NOBODY will bread...
Yeah, yeah, yeah... the Republicans need someone to blame for the past 8...
that was a physical game no question about it, and the refs called it...
Christopher @ 12:45 said: Harry Reid is as validly "Mormon" as Beck, Skousen,...
To the 4:48 commentator, Extremism leads to bad policies, corrupt...
How can you beat BYU at home and then lost to St. Mary. Pitiful.
Folks who worry about the earring(s) probably would not enjoy the music very...
Which means that the Jazz do too.
To Freddie, George, and All Knowing... Why don't you actually get to know...




You can be the first to comment on this story.