According to the Pew Research Center, demographics are quickly changing around the world, and the United States is no exception. Millennials now make up the largest living generation in the United States, marriage rates are declining as living unmarried with a partner is increasing, and immigrants will drive workforce growth, despite retiring baby boomers.
Under current conditions, it is projected that the population in the United States will grow from 323 million to 438 million by 2050, with 82 percent of this increase attributed to immigrants and their descendants.
Colorado: From 2014-2015, Colorado saw the second fastest population growth in the United States behind North Dakota. It currently has one of the lowest shares of people over 65, but due to the aging baby boomer generation, its 65 and over population is projected to increase 125 percent from 2010 by 2030.
Currently Colorado has limited diversity, with 87.7 percent of its population being white. It is expecting increased diversity, with the greatest growth among its Hispanic population.
Nevada: In 2016, Nevada saw a huge growth rate of 5.05 percent and a steadily rising median age and diversity. Over two-thirds of the state’s population lives in the Las Vegas area. Hispanics account for 28 percent of the state’s population.
New Mexico: Although it’s the fifth largest state, New Mexico is the 45th most densely populated one, most likely because of its mountain, desert, and forest terrain. From 2010 to 2015, New Mexico’s population only grew by 1.3 percent, and strictly by nature, as more people are leaving Mexico than migrating into the state. Hispanics make up about 48 percent of the state’s population.
Oregon: From 2010-2015, Oregon was the 16th fastest-growing state in the United States, but of its 36 counties, 95 percent of the growth was in just 16 of them. Although it was hit by the 2008 recession, Oregon’s population growth is increasing to above the national average once again. Oregon struggles with a lack of diversity, even within its large city of Portland.
Texas: Texas saw the second largest number of refugees of any state resettle there in 2016 with 7,803 people. By 2023, the Hispanic population is expected to surpass the non-Hispanic white population. In much of Texas, the median age is rising.
Utah: According to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, Utah’s population is expected to double over the next 50 years. The study also sees the state moving away from large families to smaller families with older parents.
Although it’s up four years from the 2000 census, Utah still holds the lowest median age of any state at 30.8 years. However, in areas of southern Utah, the median age is rising steadily with an influx of retirees.
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