Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs

Agency OverviewThe 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

Idaho Statistics

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.

Idaho Statistics

Boundary

Bonner

Kootenai

Benewah Shoshone

LatahClearwater

Nez Perce

Lewis

Idaho

Adams

Valley

Washington

Payette

Canyon

Boise

Ada

OwyheeTwin Falls

J erome

Blaine

Lincoln

Minidoka

Cassia

Power

OneidaFranklin

Bear Lake

Bannock

Caribou

Bingham

Custer Clark Fremont

TetonJ efferson Madison

Bonneville

Butte

Gooding

CamasElmore

Gem

Lemhi

1

2

3

4

56

7

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 T4-2008- Hispanic or Latino By Race-Data Set- 2008 Population Estimates

District 1 District 2 District 3 District4 District 5 District 6 District 7

BenewahBonnerBoundaryKootenaiShoshone

ClearwaterIdahoLatahLewisNez Perce

AdamsCanyonGemOwyheePayetteWashington

AdaBoiseElmoreValley

BlaineCamasCassiaGoodingJeromeLincolnMinidokaTwin Falls

BannockBear LakeBinghamButteCaribouFranklinOneidaPower

BonnevilleClarkCusterFremontJeffersonLemhiMadisonTeton

Top 15 CountiesCanyon County, Idaho 39,629

Ada County, Idaho 25,966

Twin Falls County, Idaho 9,171

Bingham County, Idaho 6,974

Minidoka County, Idaho 5,640

Jerome County, Idaho 5,589

Cassia County, Idaho 4,994

Kootenai County, Idaho 4,907

Elmore County, Idaho 3,955

Blaine County, Idaho 3,793

Gooding County, Idaho 3,470

Payette County, Idaho 3,446

Owyhee County, Idaho 2,788

Jefferson County, Idaho 2,336

Power County, Idaho 2,082

Key IssuesThe 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 2007-2008

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

Hispanic Children in IdahoBetween 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

Special Studies Conducted

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

Buying Power

2009 Hispanic Influence Rises

The recession curtailed economic activity throughout the state in 2009, but the influence of Idaho’s largest minority still grew 10 times faster

than the rest of the state.

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 generatedbusiness 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

Economic Influence

The recession took a significant bite out of Idaho’s economy in 2009. 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.

Economic Influence

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 declineSome evidence from Idaho suggests this population growth is revitalizinglocal 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 hasdoubled 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 generatedbusiness 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 2008. 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 2004. 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

Rising Voting Power

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 2008.

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 populationif not for Hispanic growth

Hispanics in IdahoHighlights 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

ConclusionThe 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