The Expanding Population of the United States (College Board AP® US History)

Summary

By the turn of the 21st century, the U.S. experienced significant shifts in its population due to internal migrations and immigration – changing the demographics and societal structure. These changes impacted labor markets, elections, cultural dynamics, and education.

Internal Migration, Immigration, & Growth of Population

Internal Migration

• Internal migration is the movement of Americans within the country during the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries

  • This internal migration shifted population dynamics and political influence

• The movement to the south and southwest of the United States (“Sun Belt”) was influenced by:

  • climate comfort

    • Central air-conditioning allowed hotter temperatures in the southern states to be tolerated

  • weather preferences

    • any Americans left northern states to escape harsh winters

  • economic opportunities in growing industries such as 

    • aerospace

    • defense

    • technology

    • service sectors in states like Texas, Florida, and Arizona

  • political impact

    • As the population of the South grew so did their Congressional representation, while Northern states lost seats  

    • This shift led to a more Conservative political climate, as southern states traditionally leaned towards conservatism in politics and cultural values

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sun_belt.svg

Immigration

• Immigration laws shaped the U.S. population in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries, such as:

  • Immigration and Nationality Act (1965)

    • The Act removed discriminatory quotas on the nationality of immigrants

    • It encouraged skilled immigrants to the United States

    • It allowed families to reunite by prioritizing family-based immigration

  • Immigration Reform and Control Act (1986)

    • The Act aimed to stop illegal immigration

    • It made it illegal for U.S. employers to knowingly hire undocumented workers

    • It gave legal status to undocumented workers who had lived in the U.S. for five or more years

    • It increased immigration from Latin America and farm laborers

• Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act (Dreamers) (2001)

  • The Act granted legal status to children brought to the U.S. illegally by undocumented parents (known as “Dreamers”)

  • Whilst it was not passed as legislation, it laid the foundations for later policies like the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA) 

    • DACA would protect the children of undocumented immigrants from deportation (Note: this legislation would become law in 2012)

  Growth of Population

  • The U.S. population underwent large changes in size and social demographics

    • Internal migrations and immigration trends caused this change

  • The population of the U.S. doubled in the 20^th century

    • This was fueled by high immigration levels and natural population growth

    • States like Texas, California, Arizona and Florida saw the largest population increase due to: 

      • favorable climates

      • job opportunities

      • Latin American immigration, with the greatest number coming from Mexico 

  Demographic shifts

  • The largest number of immigrants during this period came from Mexico

  • The Hispanic population grew from 4% in 1960 to 18% in 2020

    • The Hispanic population became a significant demographic force in American society and politics

      • The Hispanic population has grown the American workforce primarily in the agricultural and construction industry

      • It has also shaped American policies through voter participation

  • Asian population increased from 1% in 1960 to 6%in 2020

  • The U.S. experienced a  large rise in Asian immigrants, especially from Vietnam, China and Korea

    • Asian people arrived after the Vietnam War and due to changing immigration laws

  • The foreign-born population of the U.S. grew from 19.8 million in 1990 to 31.1 million in 2000  

    • This reflects an increasingly globalized population

  • The white population of the U.S. in 1980 was nearly 8%

    • By 1990, it was 73%

    • In 2011, it was 63%

  • Projections estimate the white population will fall below 50% by 2050, reflecting the diversity of the nation

Source: https://i0.wp.com/www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180924_Frey_ImmigrationUS_Fig-011.png?w=768&crop=0%2C0px%2C100%2C9999px&ssl=1