2010 Census For Amarillo

We finally have the census results for the city of Amarillo. I knew the city was growing and I had estimated that it had topped the 200,000 mark. I was wrong, but not by much. The official 2010 census result for Amarillo is 190,695 -- a 9.8% growth over the 2000 population of 173,627. The city has been growing at a rate of about 1% per year, and that means it will top 200,000 in population around 2015 or 2016.

I'm sure the city leaders heaved a sigh of relief. If the population had been over 200,000, the city would have lost a large chunk of federal dollars for mass transportation (city bus service).

As with the rest of Texas, Hispanics made up the largest sector of the population growth -- growing by 44% since 2000. But unlike the rest of Texas, non-Hispanic Whites still make up more than 50% of the city's population. But the percentage of this segment is near the tipping point, and with Hispanics growing fast while young Whites move away from the Panhandle (and older Whites die off), it is very likely that the 2020 census will show non-Hispanic Whites to be in the minority.

Here is the official population breakdown for the city:

Non-Hispanic Whites..........99,122 (51.98%)
Hispanics..........54,881 (28.78%)
African-Americans..........12,632 (6.62%)
Asians..........6,072 (3.18%)
Others..........17,988 (9.43%)
Total Minority..........91,573 (48.02%)
Total Population..........190,695

While the city, and the Panhandle area in general, did show some growth, it was not nearly the huge growth experienced by larger urban areas (particularly along the I-35 corridor). Amarillo retains its status as the 14th largest city in the state, and due to the state getting four new U.S. Representatives, it is doubtful that the areas federal representation will change much.

However, the huge growth in large urban areas in other parts of Texas will probably mean the area will lose a seat in the state House of Representatives, and the state senate district may grow to include more counties. Perhaps seeing the handwriting on the wall, State Rep. Warren Chisum has already said he may seek a seat on the Railroad Commission after this legislative session ends. That would keep the Pampa Republican from having to run against Amarillo Republican Walter Price in a larger combined district.

But I would suggest the Republicans in this very red area of Texas enjoy their dominance while they can. As the population growth numbers suggest, the area is on target to become much more Hispanic and much less White over the next 20 to 30 years. It won't be too long before the Panhandle (and West Texas) is looking like, and voting like, South Texas.