Three hundred million

Say Hello to the three hundred millionth American.

When America passed 300 million in population this morning, according to at least one expert, the milestone may well have been reached by a baby boy born to a Mexican immigrant at a Los Angeles hospital.

In 2043, when the U.S. population is expected to hit 400 million, Hispanics will figure even more significantly in Texas and across the nation, according to projections.

By then, Texas promises to be utterly transformed as it contributes significantly to national trends.

The state will more than double its population, to 45 million from 22.8 million, by 2040, according to the Census Bureau projections

[...]

By 2040, Texas will have about two Hispanics for every Anglo, according to state demographer Steve Murdock. Blacks will make up 8 percent to 10 percent of the population, Asians and other ethnic groups 6 percent to 8 percent.

[...]

Murdock, who heads the Texas State Data Center at the University of Texas in San Antonio, said anyone curious about what the nation will look like with 400 million people should examine Texas. When it comes to demographics, he said, the United States tends to follow the state's lead.

He pointed out that the Census Bureau projects that ethnic minorities will make up 47 percent of the country by 2040, with Anglos comprising the remainder. Texas looked like that six years ago, Murdock said.

"The Texas of today is the U.S. of tomorrow," he said.

I just hope I live long enough to see it. To #300,000,000, whoever and wherever you are, welcome. Make yourself at home.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 17, 2006 to Society and cultcha | TrackBack