Hispanics in U.S. Cities

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

While researching one of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan study areas (MSAs), a seminary student asked how his MSA compared to others in terms of the percentage of the population who was Hispanic. This map was designed as part of the answer.

Using 2010 American Community Survey information, MSAs are compared to one another by standard deviations from the mean of the group of MSAs. Essentially, MSAs in red are below average in their percentage of Hispanics, and those MSAs in green are either above or high above the average. There are certainly a number of factors at work, but for a quick snapshot of the country, this map is interesting.

Click here to enlarge the map.

Racial Change in Houston, 2000-2010

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

While looking for a way to visualize how certain communities have changed racially, I created the following map. Until the 1960s, Houston was a bi-racial town comprised of White (non-Hispanic Anglo) and Black. In the decades since, an increasing number of Hispanics and Asians have added to the racial diversity of the area. Communities once home to a numerically greater number of Anglos are now home to a different racial group. The map below illustrates the transition of various communities from 2000-2010.

The key to understanding this map is to understand that it is colored according to race which holds the most number of people per block group. Which means that if, out of 10 people in 2000, 5 were White and 4 were Black, but in 2010, 5 were Black and 4 were White, that block group will appear purple with white cross-hatching.

One may argue that it doesn't take much to indicate change on the map, and they would be correct. The map would appear different if percentages were used. However, I believe the image of community transition is powerful, even if the criteria is subjective. Click here to enlarge.

Panama Canal will effect Houston traffic?

SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

"While it is expected to be a boon for Texas' economy, the Panama Canal expansion has local officials worried about the effects on the already bustling Texas 288 and other Brazoria County roadways. A deeper, wider canal will mean bigger ships coming to Freeport and more trucks using Texas 288 to carry cargo to Houston and beyond.

"Texas is poised for dramatic - almost volcanic - growth," Mike Wilson, director of trade development for the Port of Freeport, said at a recent quarterly luncheon for the Greater 288 Partnership."

For the rest of the story, click here.

Both ports in southeast Texas will also attract increasing numbers of immigrants, adding diversity to an already ethnically-rich area of the country.

Happy Veteran's Day

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

According to the 2010 American Community Survey (3 year estimate), Harris County is home to approximately 189,000 veterans, making it fifth on the list of all counties in the U.S. for most numerous veteran population.

While there are numerous resources available on the web that pay tribute to veterans, I encourage you to spend a few moments on this YouTube channel recounting stories told by Medal of Honor recipients.

Make sure to honor the veterans in your life today, but not just today.

7 billion people!

SOURCE: USA Today

To say the world population is exploding my be an understatement couched in hyperbole. Though the figures are approximate, the United Nations recognized the 7 billionth baby born in the Philippines shortly after midnight on October 31, 2011. Various estimates state that it wasn't until 1804 that the world reached its first billion people, and a century more until it hit 2 billion in 1927. The twentieth century, though, saw things begin to cascade: 3 billion in 1959; 4 billion in 1974; 5 billion in 1987; 6 billion in 1998-99.

The U.N. estimates the world's population will reach 8 billion by 2025 and 10 billion by 2083. But the numbers could vary widely, depending on everything from life expectancy to access to birth control to infant mortality rates.

The U.S. could have a billion people of its own by 2100, though more likely between 2100-2120.

Today is Diwali

SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

Though celebrated over a period of days and weeks, today marks the Hindu New Year with the celebration of Diwali (sometimes spelled Divali). If you're not familiar with this holiday, you should know that between 75,000-100,000 Houstonians are celebrating it. This article from the Chronicle is a good primer, but UBA offers more information and a brief PowerPoint presentation here.

Pile on the Hyphens: A Look into Palestinian-American Nomenclature

Oftentimes, native-born Americans can fall short of seeingthe need for the use of hyphenation when describing race or nationality. “We’re all American,” some say, “just leaveit at that.” However, for those among us who are unable to think of themselveswithout looking behind to a forgotten homeland, this is not an option,especially in the case of the Palestinian-American.

Worldwide, Palestinians have the tragic uniqueness of havinga homeland that is owned by another, and no matter how many years have passed,they cannot forget that they are victims of Diaspora. Due to the endless Palestinian-Israeliconflicts over the last several decades, many Palestinian families have chosenother countries to dwell in. In fact, ofthe worldwide population of Palestinians, over half live in another country orregion of the world altogether.

The mark of these events is clearly seen in the lives of ourown Palestinian population here in Houston, and this directly influences notonly the way that they think of themselves, but also the way they introducethemselves. I have yet to meetPalestinians who merely tell me what country they are from. A restaurant owner here in town introducedhimself as a Syrian-Palestinian, not simply Syrian. Anotherperson introduced herself as a Kuwaiti-Palestinian, while another calledherself an Israeli-Palestinian-American. The heritage of their homeland is always with them, regardless of wherethey are at present.

To many Americans, this might seem like overkill. We must remember that, regardless ofpolitical view or leaning, there are neighbors among us who, when it comes tonational heritage, cannot quite claim just one because of the hole left in themby the absence of the other. This cannotbe forgotten if we are to understand them, befriend them and truly accept themas fellow Houstonians.

Updates on the proposed Grand Parkway

SOURCE: Grand Parkway Association, HuffingtonPost, TxDOT

If you're like me and you spend a lot of time driving, you may have wondered occasionally about the future of the Grand Parkway (aka State Highway 99). Recently, various news sources have actively reported the story that Exxon's proposed new headquarters to the north of Houston has influenced financing and initiative to complete sections of the Grand Parkway that have heretofore steadily dropped on the list of roadway development priorities. A good summary of the activity can be found here. In short, one might be able to drive from Sugar Land to north of Humble along the Grand Parkway as early as 2015, though there may be some tolls to be paid along the way. Click the map below for more information (and thanks to the people at the Grand Parkway Association for the shapefiles).

In other news, Houston is full of traffic. TxDOT's list of 100 most congested traffic areas of the state has 10 Houston area locations in the top 20.

Houston’s Turkish Centers – Leading the way Toward a Culturally Aware Community

This last Tuesday, officers of the Fondren Division of Houston’s Police Department had the unique opportunity to serve the community alongside one of Houston’s more established culture groups.  The Raindrop Turkish House of Houston, a central hub of Turkish Culture in this city, opened its doors to the community for a National Fun Night, where Houston’s finest were given a chance to educate local children about citizenship and safety. 

This is just one of the many ways that Houston’s Turkish community is doing far more than just reach out.  Through adult culture classes, charitable donations and educational efforts for students, this people group is finding itself able to give back and have a noticeable influence on Texas culture.  To learn more about how to become involved in their efforts, visit their website.

Islam Out of the Box: Ahmaddiyah’s Reform in Our Backyard

It would be overgeneralized to state that not all Muslims believe the same thing, but there are divisions within the faith that reach far past the commonly known divide of Sunni and Shi’a. 

Ahmadiyyah is the name for a fairly new sect of “reformed” Islam, which overtly promotes openness to all religions and peoples.  While this brand of Islam is outlawed and unrecognized in many Islamic states, it is finding the footing to grow stateside – even within our own community.  In fact, Houston boasts the Ahmadiyyah movement’s largest mosque, the Bait-us Samee Mosque on the northwest side of town. 

The Houstonians of this community are working hard to promote unity, as can be seen through their recent success this past month in starting a blood drive to honor the tenth anniversary of 9/11.  According to Saadia Faruqi of Ahmadiyyah’s north Houston chapter, “We were handing out flyers and doing interfaith discussions about peace and loyalty to your country; for the next stage, we are walking the walk. We wanted to do something concrete and tangible to show that Islam upholds the sanctity of life.” See full article

The 9/11 blood drive is part of a greater nationwide campaign called “Muslims for Life,” began by the nationwide Ahmadiyyah community.  The campaign seeks to emphasize that Islam is a religion of life, and not of death.  In September of this year, the campaign began with a goal of 10,000 units of blood.  As of today, it has surpassed that goal with a total of 11,036 units, with the potential to save over 30,000 lives.  For more information on this different face of Islam and the impact it is making in Houston, go to their website.

Living in the World's Backyard

“I firmly believe that if you are going to get any good done, you have to put yourself in a place where you are usable,” my friend said, as he poured me a cup of coffee. “We moved here to do just that.” I looked into the next room, where I heard his daughter playing dolls with two other little girls – one from Eritrea, the other a Karenni from Burma.

The sad reality is that most Houstonians live their daily lives ignorant of the fact that, in their own backyard, thousands of victims of genocide and other atrocities are making the southwest side of town their new home. The list of people groups is extensive: the Darfurians and Somalis, the Karen and Kachin of Burma, Iraqis, Iranians – all have relocated here to make a better life, and just as importantly, to make a quick change of the cultural makeup of the city. My friend, a recent migrant from the Midwest, has chosen to live among them, share life with them, and pour what he has into making their new life in America worthwhile.

Refugee Services Cross Religious Bounds in Houston

It is always a fascinating day when we are able to see any of our immigrant groups grow a strong enough foothold in our society that they are able to exercise the mores of their culture with confidence.  It is truly a cultural event to see a group move past mere cultural survival and maintenance to become a creative and flourishing facet of our social fabric.  One organization showing an excellent example of this is Al-Amaanah Refugee Services on the southwest side of town. 

Muslim operated Al-Amaanah is able to approach refugee services from an Islamic standpoint.  Not only are families provided with their basic needs, but schools are provided so that children are able to learn Arabic and the Qur’an alongside their normal studies.  Also, through their website, faithful Muslims are able to make donations to the organization that count toward their Zakat, or religiously required charitable giving. 

This is an advancement that would not have been possible for American Muslims, even a decade ago.  Now, they are able to confidently exist in Houston’s multi-cultural environment, and are able to provide charity in a way that reflects what they believe.  Click HERE to learn more about Al-Amaanah.

Urban/ Suburban Statistics

SOURCE: U.S. Census (2010 Census); Population Reference Bureau

As is common with my work, I was asked to confirm a statistic that someone overheard. I get nervous doing this kind of work, because definitions carry an enormous weight in demographics. Meaning, if someone blurts out a stat for "Houston", were they meaning the city, the Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (a 10 county area), the Metropolitan Statistical Area (a 12 county area), or what everyone refers to as the "greater Houston area" that carries no specific definition?

The Population Reference Bureau put out some initial findings from the 2010 Census that contained a table detailing the urban/suburban growth in the United States among other statistics. Here are a few key numbers as they pertain to Texas.

51% of U.S. people live in suburbs. This is true, although what this means is that 51% live outside of the principal city within their MSA (Houston MSA has 5 principal cities: Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown, Galveston, Conroe). 40% of people in Texas live in suburbs using the same methodology, and 60% within the Houston MSA live in suburbs.

33% of U.S. people live in principal cities. The reason that this number and the previous 51% number do not sum to 100% is because of the population that lives outside of any metropolitan area: 16% nationwide, and 12% in Texas. (48% of Texans live in principal cities, 40% of greater Houstonians).

The official percentage of U.S. population designated as rural is 23% (21% in TX).

It's a New World: Welcome South Sudan

Source: The Guardian (UK)

While Houston is home to around 500 Sudanese (most of them from the southern regions) at any one time, there is big news for their home country: it's now two countries. Saturday marked the first day in the existence of South Sudan, which was recognized by the United Nations as its 193rd member today.

If you're wondering where South Sudan will be located, official maps are still being created in diplomatic circles. But follow this link to a map of the new world, and while you're there, see if you can find the world's most densely populated nation (Macao) or the world's second smallest nation (Monaco; I trust you can find the world's smallest country, Vatican City). But if you can find Nauru, the world's only country that does not have a capital (and you do it without using a search engine), I'll be really impressed. And depending on your reason for knowing where it is, maybe a little sad for you, too.

Explosive Growth to the West

SOURCES: U.S. Census; Greater West Houston Association; Houston Chronicle; Grand Parkway Association

"2010 Census data for Greater West Houston indicate the 1,000 mile area in the western portion of metro Houston had a population of 1.483 million people, up 482,000 from 2000, a 48% increase over the decade."

Click their website for more information and a 2050 projection of the area.

In related news, Exxon Mobil announced plans for a new corporate complex located near the junction of I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road just south of the Woodlands. How is that related? Such growth for the area will likely speed the financing and building of the planned expansion of the Grand Parkway (Hwy 99), a segment of which is planned to run near Exxon Mobil's future complex.

Final plans to connect the Grand Parkway from I-10 to Hwy 290 are currently underway, with segments to continue development around the city. For more information on plans for the Grand Parkway, click here.

Hispanic Details from the 2010 Census

SOURCE: U.S. 2010 Census, Pew Hispanic Center

Fast facts:

• Houston ranks #3 among places with the most Hispanics (after New York & Los Angeles)
• Harris County ranks #2 among counties with the most Hispanics (after Los Angeles County)

"The U.S. Census Bureau [May 26] released a 2010 Census brief on the nation's Hispanic population, which shows the Hispanic population increased by 15.2 million between 2000 and 2010 and accounted for more than half of the total U.S. population increase of 27.3 million. Between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population grew by 43 percent, or four times the nation's 9.7 percent growth rate."

More information, including an interactive graphic, has been released by the Pew Hispanic Center. One word of caution, is to be aware of the geographies and the surveys utilized. Pew Hispanic uses the 2009 American Community Survey, which is not as current as what the Census Bureau released May 26, 2011.

Houston's diversity leads to diverse home features

SOURCE: Houston Chronicle

"Carrying over a tradition from their native countries, some South Asian children live with their parents until they marry and then often live with the groom's parents after marriage.

In the Houston area, such cultural norms have builders responding to the region's diversity by incorporating special design demands into homes. Aside from extra bedrooms, they're adding secondary kitchens and prayer rooms that appeal to South Asians and courtyards popular with Hispanic buyers." (click here for the full story)

Houston: Urban or Suburban growth?

SOURCE: www.newgeogrpahy.com, U.S. 2010 Census

From 2000-2010, Houston grew both in its central city core and its suburban area. And while central Houston may be increasing its appeal, adding light rail lines and upgrading the downtown area, suburbs are still king in Houston. Houston's central municipal core grew 145,820 (7.5%), while the suburbs added more than 1 million people (38%).

See the full story, plus a comparison with other major cities like Dallas and Chicago here.

Houston is still #4

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau

A lot of talk has been happening in the media lately about Houston becoming the third largest U.S. city in terms of population, requiring it to overtake Chicago, IL. Though Houston did grow 7.5% since the 2000 Census, and Chicago did decline 6.9% in the same period, Houston still remains almost 600,000 people behind Chicago.

The contest between Houston and Chicago gets more interesting when one compares the counties that each city calls home. Harris County, (the most populated county in Texas), grew by 20.3% between 2000-2010, giving it a population of 4,092,459. Cook County (the most populated county in IL) decreased 3.4% over the same period, giving it a population of 5,194,675.

There are many arguments for Houston overcoming Chicago, and they begin by looking at each city's landmass. Houston occupies 604 sq.mi., and is sparsely populated with 6,776 people per sq.mi. Chicago occupies about a third of the landmass (231 sq.mi.) and is densely populated at approximately 11,700 people per sq.mi. Chicago is also surrounded by smaller municipalities on all sides that aren't Lake Michigan, as opposed to Houston which still has some room to expand.

Available tables for Texas can be found by clicking the title of this blog. For more information on the 2010 results, here is the article from the Houston Chronicle and the press release for Illinois.

One Stop Immigration Statistics

SOURCE: Migration Information Source

If you're looking for information about the composition of the U.S. immigrant population, and want additional links to follow for your own research, start by clicking the title of the story.

Summary: "Where are immigrants primarily from? How many immigrants come each year? How many are already here? How many became US citizens last year? Do they have health insurance? Where do they live? How many children live in immigrant families? How large are illegal immigration flows, and how has the government responded?

This Spotlight brings together resources from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI); the US Census Bureau's 2009 American Community Survey, 2000 decennial census, and 2009 Current Population Survey; the US Departments of Homeland Security and State; and Mexico's National Population Council (CONAPO) and National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI)."