Study shows Hispanic population boom
The Hispanic population in Idaho is booming and will continue to be a greater percentage of the population in coming years.
That’s the conclusion of a new report by the University of Idaho and McClure Center for Public Policy Research.
Currently Hispanics make up 13 % of Idaho’s population.
70 % were born in the U.S and 79% are U.S. Citizens.
Juan Alvarez, the chairman of the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs says that’s significant.
“Well, it tells you times have changed,” Alvarez said. ” In the past, a lot of the Hispanic population was viewed as a migrant population. That is no longer the case. They are very stable. Their children are staying put. Their children are going to school.”
Another surprising statistic from the study is that from 2010 to 2014 Idaho’s Hispanic population grew by 12% compared to 3% for non-Hispanics.
The birth rate for Hispanics was six times greater than non-Hispanics — 9.5 % births to every death compared to 1.6%.
Alvarez hopes Idahoans will come to view Hispanics as more than a migrant workforce.
“And realize that they are contributors to society and are another rich culture that we are part of, and we enjoy, and are U.S citizens and Americans as far as anyone is concerned,” Alvarez said.
