Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs

Agency Overview The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs (ICHA) is in its 23rd year of carrying out its charter. The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs was established in 1987 by the first Regular Session of the 49th Idaho Legislature as an independent entity of state government. Core functions include; Advise the governor, legislature and state departments and agencies of the nature, priorities of the problems of Hispanic people. Serve as a liaison between the community and government entities improving the quality of lives of Hispanics in the state of Idaho

Of the total population in Idaho of 1,545,801 total population in 2010, approx.11% represented the Hispanic population165,285. The Hispanic population is the largest minority group in the state of Idaho. The Hispanic community in Idaho continues to experience a steady increase in population and is growing faster than expected.

District 3, which is comprised of Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington Counties, has the highest concentration of Hispanics. There are 49,140 Hispanics in District 3, approximately 21.05% of the total population in the District. Source: U.S. Census T Hispanic or Latino By Race-Data Set Population Estimates District 1District 2District 3District4District 5District 6District 7 Benewah Bonner Boundary Kootenai Shoshone Clearwater Idaho Latah Lewis Nez Perce Adams Canyon Gem Owyhee Payette Washington Ada Boise Elmore Valley Blaine Camas Cassia Gooding Jerome Lincoln Minidoka Twin Falls Bannock Bear Lake Bingham Butte Caribou Franklin Oneida Power Bonneville Clark Custer Fremont Jefferson Lemhi Madison Teton

Canyon County, Idaho39,629 Ada County, Idaho25,966 Twin Falls County, Idaho9,171 Bingham County, Idaho6,974 Minidoka County, Idaho5,640 Jerome County, Idaho5,589 Cassia County, Idaho4,994 Kootenai County, Idaho4,907 Elmore County, Idaho3,955 Blaine County, Idaho3,793 Gooding County, Idaho3,470 Payette County, Idaho3,446 Owyhee County, Idaho2,788 Jefferson County, Idaho2,336 Power County, Idaho2,082

Key Issues The Hispanic growth poses key challenges: Key issues: ● Health Care ● Education ● Housing ● Economic Development The Commission is the only state agency representing the Hispanic community and serving as a liaison between the community and government entities. The Commission provides leadership, guidance and advocacy, concerning issues facing the State Hispanic population.

There is a wide variation in distribution of Hispanic children in Idaho schools. Hispanic children represent 15.98% approx. 34,026 of the total public school K-12 population based on Department of Education stats. Whereas the Hispanic population represents only 11% of the Idaho total population. Idaho Schools

 Wilder 80.14%  Caldwell 52.74%  Murtaugh Joint 46.99%  Clark County 45.89%  Glenns Ferry 44.90%  Aberdeen 44.63%  Shoshone Joint 41.88%  Wendell 41.47%  Minidoka County Joint 40.41%  Jerome Joint 40.17% Top ten school districts with the highest percentage of Hispanic Students Source: Idaho Department of Education

Between 2000 and 2009, the Hispanic school-age population grew faster than the non-Hispanic school-age population: 55% growth for Hispanics, compared to 3% for non-Hispanics

The Hispanic population in Idaho is expected to continue the growth pattern because the population’s families are younger and larger. Data shows the disparities amongst our population across many social, economic, and educational measures. A large portion of Idaho’s Hispanic population includes children and young adults of child- bearing age, and a very small portion is over age 65. Only 3% of Hispanics were over age 65 in 2009, compared to 13% of non-Hispanics

Community Impacts of Idaho's Dairy Industry During the past decade, southern Idaho's Hispanic population grew nearly 90 percent, parallel to the growth of the state's dairy industry, which is concentrated in three south central counties: Gooding, Jerome and Twin Falls Hispanic Health Disparities in Idaho This report entitled "Hispanic Health Disparities in SW Idaho" contains a synopsis of all data collected through 519 personal interviews, for ongoing Hispanic health risk reduction and access to knowledgeable health care

The Hispanic Buying Power 2008 In Idaho Hispanics today account for nearly 9.9 percent of Idaho’s people, and their impact on the economy is significantly greater in many areas. Their buying power as a percent of total buying power has doubled, increasing from 2.9 percent in 1990 to 4.9 percent in 2005 to 5.32% in 2008 Published Reports Recommendations for Bridging the Academic Achievement Gap for Hispanic Students in Idaho A special white paper report on “ Bridging the Academic Achievement Gap for Hispanic Students in Idaho.“ The report served as a tool to reexamine the educational issues facing Idaho Hispanic students

Reports Snapshot of Idaho’s Latino Community The report provides a quick reference of our State, as well as the tools required to learn more about the unique needs and issues facing Hispanics in Idaho The Hispanic Profile This publication provides a one-stop source of information describing the current data in economic, education, and social status of Hispanics in Idaho. Our focus is to continue to provide current and meaningful data

The Hispanic Buying Power 2009 In the last 20 years, the Hispanic share of Idaho’s total buying power has doubled from 2.8 percent to 5.7 percent. The increase is primarily the result of a growing Hispanic population, which since 1990 has doubled as a percentage of total population to 10.2 percent. But the multibillion ‐ dollar influence being exerted by Hispanics in Idaho has culturally and economically diversified the state and generated business opportunities across the board.

 Estimates show the economic influence of Hispanics will continue growing through the recession and beyond  By 2013, estimates show the Hispanic buying power in Idaho will jump another 51%, (greater than 3.5 a third faster than the non-Hispanics  This will account for 6% of all the buying power in Idaho. *Source- University of Georgia-Selig Center for Economic Growth

The recession took a significant bite out of Idaho’s economy in But while the buying power of all1.5 million Idahoans increased just a half percent from 2008, Hispanic buying power grew 10 times faster than the buying power of the state’s non ‐ Hispanic majority, according to estimates from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia.

The growth of Idaho’s Hispanic population and its economic influence is a statewide phenomenon, but the impact varies from county to county. Across the country, Hispanic growth is offsetting rural population decline Some evidence from Idaho suggests this population growth is revitalizing local economies. From 2000 to 2009

In the last 20 years, the Hispanic share of Idaho’s total buying power has doubled from 2.8 percent to 5.7 percent. The increase is primarily the result of a growing Hispanic population, which since 1990 has doubled as a percentage of total population to 10.2 percent. But the multibillion ‐ dollar influence being exerted by Hispanics in Idaho has culturally and economically diversified the state and generated business opportunities across the board.

In Clark County, Idaho’s smallest with fewer than 1,000 residents, Hispanics make up 40 percent of the population and accounted for 30 percent of the buying power in 2009, up more than a percentage point from In eight other southern Idaho counties, Hispanics accounted for 11 percent to 18 percent of the buying power, and in each county their influence increased from 2008.

 The Hispanic community in Idaho makes important contributions in business, the professions, the academic world, politics and culture  Hispanics, long under-represented as voters, are becoming more visible as they consider themselves the future, and want to invest in it  The estimated number of Hispanic registered voters increased from 14,000 to 19,000 between 2002 and The percent of registered Hispanic voters that actually voted increased from 57% in 2002 to almost 74% in 2006  It is expected the decennial census will confirm the huge growth of Idaho's Hispanic population

Idaho’s total Hispanic population grew by 5.4% to over 146,000 in 2007, and increased by 4.8% in 2008, to more than 153,000. The overall state population growth increased by 2.3% in 2007 and just fewer than 2% in Idaho’s Hispanic population is 51% greater in 2008 than it was just eight years earlier. Statewide, the population grew 18%. What is the Hispanic Population in Idaho

2007 Survey of Hispanic Business Owners in Idaho Number of firms with or without paid employees, 2007 (number) = 3,859 Number of firms with or without paid employees, 2002 (number) = 2,775 Net change in number of firms with or without paid employees, 2002 to 2007 (number) = 1,084 Percent change in number of firms with or without paid employees, 2002 to 2007 = 39.1% Source: Survey of Business Owners

 The Hispanic population grew faster in urban than in rural Idaho (an annual rate of 9% in urban Idaho compared to 5% in rural parts of the State.  In 2009 Hispanics were more likely to live in rural counties than non-Hispanics (38% compared to 29%).  Parts of rural Idaho would be losing population if not for Hispanic growth Hispanics in Idaho Highlights from the “Idaho At a Glance” report by University of Idaho and Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs Today roughly 11% of Idahoans are Hispanic, compared to 5% in 1990

Conclusion The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs serves as a resource and is well-positioned to work with government and non-governmental organizations to collect data on Idaho Hispanic population Our internal web site serves as a resource to hundreds of individuals both in and out of state. As a resource to many agencies to coordinate efforts by posting them as a link on our web site that allows us to assure we are not duplicating programs or services The publication of several reports has been a collaboration between the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and many other partners who have a vested interest in collecting and reporting the data. The reports have provided a one-stop source of demographic data and information describing the economic, education, and social status of Hispanics in Idaho, for use by a variety of data consumers, interested in accessing data on our population

We stand prepared to serve as a vehicle for connecting communities, sharing information and learning about resources