Hispanic population growing as region’s demographics get rapid makeover – “if it wasn’t for Hispanics many more West Texas communities would be like ghost towns.” From: lubbockonline.com

The Jassos exemplify the rapidly changing demographics in rural West Texas. While 33 rural counties in the South Plains/Panhandle region lost population during the first six years of this decade, in some, including Crosby County, the Hispanic population is growing and it’s now the majority group.

For instance, Crosby County lost 7.4 percent of its population during the period, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Yet, Hispanics became the largest ethnic group in the county and now narrowly outnumber Anglos, 3,175 to 2,946.

“This region is changing before our eyes,” said Heflin, whose House District 85 includes the largest percentage of Spanish-surnamed residents in all of the six House districts in the Panhandle and the South Plains. “Many people have left … so if it wasn’t for Hispanics many more West Texas communities would be like ghost towns.”"*

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