Guest Opinion: Montana can plan ahead for Hispanic population wave

“Except for American Indians, we are a nation of immigrants, as noted in the title of the 1958 book by that name written by John F, Kennedy. In 1960, an estimated 97 percent of all Americans spoke English and non-Hispanic whites made up 82 percent of the population of Los Angeles County. According to 2000 census figures, they now account for only 31 percent of Los Angeles’ resident population. Today the Mexican population of Los Angeles is second only to that of Mexico City, and 54 percent of the population speaks Spanish as its primary language.

A human wave is rolling over the border and expanding into the Intermountain West. In fact, Montana is now conspicuous as the Western state least affected by the Hispanic transformation. A few decades ago, the demography of the rest of the West was more like Montana is today. In decades to come, Montana will be more like what the rest of the West has become.”

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