A report is projecting the state's population to double by 2050 if migration into Texas continues at the same pace it did in the last decade.
The analysis issued Thursday by the Office of the State Demographer predicts the state's population will be about 54.4 million if immigration and people moving in from other states continue.
The population in Texas age 14 and under would increase from 5.7 million in 2010 to 10.2 million in 2050. The 15-64 population would increase from 16.8 million to 34.7 million, and the 65 and over population would rise from 2.6 million to 9.4 million.
The Austin American-Statesman reports an increase in population could have broad implications for the state's economy, quality of life, water and transportation infrastructure, schools and politics.
State Demographer Lloyd Potter recently talked with Texas Standard, the new statewide radio news magazine, about the demographic shift.
The Texas Tribune has more details on the projections:
- The state’s elderly population is expected to increase from 2.6 million residents over age 65 in 2010 to 9.4 million in 2050.
- This means the elderly will make up a larger share of the overall population. In 2010, the elderly made up 10.3 percent of the Texas population. In 2050, they are expected to make up about 17.3 percent of the population.
- Because migrants tend to be young adults between the ages of 20 and 34, Texas will have a younger population in 2050 than it would have without migration to the state.
- This will be beneficial to a state looking to provide for the elderly because migration patterns will lead to more workers per retiree. The number of Texans between the ages of 15 and 64 will increase from 16.8 million in 2010 to 34.7 million in 2050.
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