The Asian American community in Texas has reportedly outpaced all other racial groups in terms of growth between 2022 and 2023, expanding by 5.5%, or nearly 92,000 individuals, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau figures. This 5.5% increase overshadows the statewide population growth rate of 1.6% during the same period. Demographers are attriboting this surge to a combination of domestic and international migration, with Texas becoming an increasingly popular destination for newcomers from across the globe.
"We're continuing the trend we have seen from the last decade," said Xiuhong “Helen” You, associate director and senior demographer with the Texas Demographic Demographic Center, in a statement obtained by the Texas Tribune. Despite the rapid growth rate, the non-Hispanic Asian population still only accounts for roughly 5.8% of the state's total. This means even a modest numerical rise can result in a disproportionately large percentage increase.
Holly Heard, vice president of data and analytics for Texas 2036, a nonprofit research group, pointed out that Texas has historically been a major recipient of immigrants, including those coming from Asian countries. "But also, certainly with immigration, that helps to grow the population; and Texas being a state that receives a lot of immigrants, also receives a lot of immigrants from Asia," Heard commented in the Texas Tribune interview. She also highlighted the importance of considering the implications of such demographic changes on the state’s labor force and economy.
One notable aspect of this demographic shift is the substantial increase in senior citizens within the Asian American community. Stats from the Census Bureau indicate a striking 11.4% growth in the 80-and-up bracket and a 7.6% increase among 70- to 79-year-olds. Experts are increasingly concerned about the availability and accessibility of resources for these older adults, especially given the delayed retirement age and the need for healthcare and housing services into retirement. "Do we have enough services and enough care to provide for them?" Heard added, pointing to a potentially looming challenge for Texas as it faces an aging population.
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area saw the most significant numeric rise in its Asian American population among metropolitan areas, adding over 44,000 people between 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos area experienced the sharpest growth rate, clocking in at 10.5%. Overall, Texan seniors are set to demand more from the state in terms of healthcare and other services as they represent an increasing share of the population. "We have these populations that are growing older and we’re going to have to be prepared," emphasized Heard, looking towards the future requirements of these demographics shifts. Reporting in the Rio Grande Valley supported in part by the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., underscores the statewide attention these trends are garnering, as the Texas Tribune reported.
