Against the faint light of dawn in East Texas, the silhouettes of a group of oil workers could be seen as they prepared for a hard day of work in September. The 80 employees of Premier Energy Services, a company based in Odessa, reflected the slow transformation of West Texas, a region rich in oil. The workers, mostly Hispanic, were born in Texas, a departure from the past when the oil fields were dominated by white men in search of black gold.
Alfredo Ramirez, a third-generation Mexican-American supervisor, reminisced about his childhood when his father used to take him to the oil fields, an industry dominated by white men. Now, he proudly declares that the industry belongs to Latinos like him.
The changing demographics of Texas have significant implications for the state’s cultural and political landscape. With a population of over 30 million, Texas is becoming a cultural and economic powerhouse. The influx of immigrants, particularly Hispanics, has reshaped the state. The children of immigrants, predominantly Hispanic and born in Texas, make up the fastest-growing demographic group. This shift has resulted in a decline in the white population’s dominance, marking a turning point in Texas’ identity.
The New York Times analyzed census data, migration patterns, and visited communities in Texas to understand the depth of these changes in the second-most populous state in the country. The data reveals that Texas has become a state of immigrants, with a multigenerational population. The proportion of Hispanics born in Texas now surpasses that of white Texans. This transformation has been documented by the US Census Bureau for the first time in 2023.
The rise of immigrants from other states has also reshaped Texas’ suburbs. Frisco, a city outside of Dallas, has experienced significant growth due to an influx of white immigrants attracted by affordable housing and job opportunities. However, the city has also seen a substantial increase in its Asian population. In 1990, Frisco had only 29 Asian residents out of a population of 6,000. Today, almost a quarter of the city’s 220,000 residents are Asian.
Texas has also seen significant growth in its black population, surpassing Georgia and Florida. Unlike black immigrants in other states who tend to be either poor or wealthy, those moving to Texas are predominantly middle-class. Houston, in particular, has seen the success of black-owned businesses, making it a competitive destination for black families and young professionals.
These demographic changes have had a significant impact on Texas’ politics. In Odesa, where the Hispanic population has nearly doubled to 56% since 1990, the mayor is now a Hispanic conservative Republican. Democrats have seen their margins of defeat shrink, not only in cities where they typically dominate but also in areas with a significant number of Hispanic Texans. However, these demographic shifts do not guarantee victories for either party, as polls show an increasing number of non-white voters who are still undecided.
Aware of the changes, Republicans have been courting conservative Hispanic voters, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, where they have had recent electoral successes. Texas’ identity is no longer easily defined by cowboys, football, guns, and oil. It is a complex mix of cultures and influences. As the state undergoes rapid transition, its future will be shaped by its diverse population.