The eight fastest-growing states are all "red states"

WSJ - Best of the Web ^ | April 25, 2005 | JAMES TARANTO

[soccer_linux_mozilla]

The U.S. Census Bureau has released new population projections for the next quarter-century, and the political implications are interesting, though not surprising. Based on the first table here (in Microsoft Excel form; USA Today has part of it in HTML), these are the 10 states that are expected to be the biggest in 2030 and the fastest-growing in the 2000-30 period, with the 2000 population rank given in parentheses:

	Biggest	Fastest Growing
1	California (1)		Nevada
2	Texas (2)	Arizona
3	Florida (4)	Florida
4	New York (3)		Texas
5	Illinois (5)	Utah
6	Pennsylvania (6)	Idaho
7	North Carolina (11)		North Carolina
8	Georgia (10)	Georgia
9	Ohio (7)	Washington
10	Arizona (20)		Oregon

The eight fastest-growing states are all "red," as are the two states, North Carolina and Arizona, that are expected to move up into the top 10 (supplanting Michigan and New Jersey).

[soccer_linux_mozilla]

The Associated Press says this is bad news for the most liberal region in the country: "New England stands to lose about 20 percent of its congressional seats over the next quarter-century as political power follows population booms in the South and West." The fastest-growing New England state is New Hampshire, at No. 15, followed by Vermont (23), Maine (32), Massachusetts (33), Rhode Island (34) and Connecticut (38).

The second table in the Excel document shows that 52.4% of the nationwide population growth is expected to be in the South, 35.2% in the West, vs. just 7.4% in the Midwest and 5% in the Northeast. The one bright spot for "blue" states is that Pacific Coast states are expected to grow more than those in the Mountain West.

[EagleUSA]

Be careful how you interpret these numbers since many fast growing states (red) are growing from a exodus from other (blue) states -- especially due to relocation of businesses and getting away from liberal confiscatory taxation and regulation.

[ken5050]

And congressional seats = Electoral votes...Esitmate now give the red states of the 2004 election another 7-10 EVs in 2012 race...the WH math gets harder for the Dems

[goodnesswins]

"The one bright spot for "blue" states is that Pacific Coast states are expected to grow more than those in the Mountain West."

Well, after what our State Legislature just did.....we're looking at moving to the MOUNTAIN WEST.....can no longer bear to stay in this Socialist State.

[jmaroneps37]

They can keep "expecting" all they want, the coastal states might grow but illegals can't vote now and the laws against them voting are getting tougher, not easier.

[gdani]

....especially due to relocation of businesses and getting away from liberal confiscatory taxation and regulation

I have a feeling weather plays a large role.

[bahblahbah]

Just because they're coming from blue states doesn't mean their blue staters. I bet Rove has some people surveying to growing communities to see what types of people are moving into the red states.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

But who is going to these red states? Reds from blue states or Blues from blue states?

[TXBSAFH]

If you even point this out the the rats the freak. I lurk sometimes at the dump. I have seen people who had over 500 posts there get banned just for point out this and putting the idea forth that moving to the center might be a good idea. At this rate the rate party will be dead in 20 years. Just remember New England is where political parties go to die in the US. See the Whigs and the Federalists.

[Physicist]

Nevada is the fastest growing state because it doesn't have very many people. I'm sure it's not the fastest growing in absolute terms. That's the figure of merit when you're counting House seats and electoral votes.

[EagleUSA]

I have a feeling weather plays a large role.
=====
Yes, weather too, plays are big role. I am a Californian so I can relate. Actually it is a very wide base of driving forces that cause folks to shift around, to say nothing of the hoards of illegals that have populated this country, but we know where they typically go, and are spreading.

[who knows what evil?]

Well, after what our State Legislature just did.....we're looking at moving to the MOUNTAIN WEST.....can no longer bear to stay in this Socialist State.

I am in New England, and am considering Idaho. However, I am aware that Californians are flooding into Idaho, and that many of them are bringing their obnoxious liberal habits with them. True?

[Brilliant]

If you include the illegal aliens and the gray economy in CA, it's probably still the fastest growing.

[ken5050]

The Dems have two major problems...They've given up all hope of the Congress for the next decade or so, and are focused exclusively on the WH...and they will never give up the early Iowa caucus and NH priamry, where the far left wing dominates..Thus, only a left/lib can get the nomination..Did you see the "trial balloon" floated a few days ago suggesting that Hillary skip Iowa?..Never gonna happen..

[shekkian]

Is there any data on states with shrinking populatons?

[Rakkasan1]

I live in Minnesota for the beautiful climate and low
taxes (sarcasm)

[colorcountry]

Utah is on the list of "fastest growing." It will take a lot of "blue staters" to change the political climate here.

[eyespysomething]

Heck, here in GA we keep on addin' electoral votes.

Y'all c'mon down, but mind yer manners, or back ta yankeeland.

[TXBSAFH]

Watching the dems is like watching a slow motion train wreck.

[Alberta's Child]

That's a very good point. By 2030, for example, there is a good chance that North Carolina will be a "blue" state -- due to a large influx of relocated liberals from the Northeast. I would add states like Virginia and Nevada to that mix, too.

[Lekker 1]

It has been my experience that it is typically the Reds from Blue States that relocate to the Mountain West. They just get fed up with the bullcrap, taxes, etc. The Blues typically feel so superior about their Blue State, they would never consider moving to the "sticks" (Gotta have a coastline. If I don't have a beach, I would simply die). I suppose the overall affect is a polarization.

[R. Scott]

It reminds me of the old hippie thing of “change from within”. I hope that’s not the case.

[Uncledave]

But who is going to these red states? Reds from blue states or Blues from blue states?

I've lived in NY and New England all my life. My hunch is that red staters are the ones heading south. The liberals up here love the local restaurants, schools, local culture scene, and most importantly - their liberal neighbors.

From my experience, they feel living among the bible thumpers is a sentence worse than death.

[jpl]

''It's not our electoral college base that's been the source of political clout in New England," said Garrison Nelson, a University of Vermont professor who also has taught classes on New England politics at Boston College. ''Massachusetts has been losing seats for a while, since 1930, yet three presidential nominees have come out of Massachusetts in the last 50 years."

ROFL. Losers like Mike Dukakis and John Kerry are pretty thin reeds to be hanging your "clout" on, and there's now two generations of Americans who weren't even alive when JFK got elected.

[Edward Watson]

I also noticed Utah will have the lowest percentage of people over 65 and the highest number below 18 which means Utahns will be able to support their retired for a long ways to come.

[TypeZoNegative]

Wanna jettison the state for warmer weather? (Fla)

The plane leaves in 10 days.

[TypeZoNegative]

Wanna jettison the state for warmer weather? (Fla)

The plane leaves in 10 days.

[Modernman]

They can keep "expecting" all they want, the coastal states might grow but illegals can't vote now and the laws against them voting are getting tougher, not easier.

The census counts people. I don't think it makes a distinction between legals and illegals. But, I have been wrong before....

[bilhosty]

"However, I am aware that Californians are flooding into Idaho, and that many of them are bringing their obnoxious liberal habits with them. True?"

According to Barone it is the Republicans that are making the biggest Exodus from California and as a result California is getting bluer while the mountain states are getting redder. Incidentally, I do not believe that California will keep growing. I think it is no longer growing and after gaining 5 seats in 1990 it only gained 1 in 2000. Last decade it grew slower then most of the Mountain states. I also expect something will be done about illegal immigration. I think next time California will lose a seat.

[Columbine]

Be careful how you interpret these numbers since many fast growing states (red) are growing from a exodus from other (blue) states -- especially due to relocation of businesses and getting away from liberal confiscatory taxation and regulation.

Exactly! Colorado is becoming bluer and bluer with each passing election. Even our most conservative county is changing from the influx of liberals who want to bring their idiotic policies with them.

[laredo44]

Arizona, Florida, Texas, #'s 2, 3, and 4 respecitvely is the fastest growing list. All without an income tax.

[colorcountry]

Shhhhh...don't tell. And we spend less on education, but produce more high school graduates. I can't imagine many "Blue Staters" will show up - they would never become acclimated to the culture around here (or lack of, in their eyes).

[Rakkasan1]

nah, too many hanging chads and left-lane, constant blinker
,blue-hair drivers.

[lilylangtree]

Since WA is the bastard sibling of CA, I guess both states count as one.

[jbloedow]

The fastest-growing New England state is New Hampshire, at No. 15, followed by Vermont (23), Maine (32), Massachusetts (33), Rhode Island (34) and Connecticut (38).

Connecticut is rated by NARAL as the #1 state for access to abortion. Go figure.

[Laserman]

The key is to NOT let these transplants from Blue states come in and screw up the sane policies of Red states like is happening in Colorado. Red State Conservatives need to be even more diligent to avoid another Ken Salazar like loss to the Dems!

[Southack]

"Be careful how you interpret these numbers since many fast growing states (red) are growing from a exodus from other (blue) states..."

You don't have to be too careful about that. 45 out of 50 states voting percentages grew more conservative ("redder" by the new backwards standard of today), voting by up to 8% more for Bush/Cheney in 2004 compared to the Rep vs Dem race of 2000.

So not only did red states get redder, but blue states got redder, too.

If a new census were held today, Red States would gain 3 House seats and electoral votes, while Blue States would lose 3. That power shift of 6 seats/votes will be even larger by 2010, too.

The above is the *national* trend. Some *state* trends might be slightly different...just don't confuse such isolated local differences with the Bigger Picture.

[DM1]

I left a TRUE BLUE state (Mass) to live in what i thought would be a Red state (NH) close but switched to BLue.
Hey i tried to keep it Red :)

[I still care]

It's amazing how clueless people are. I live in Florida. People come down for two reasons - the climate and lower taxes.

Then they are amazed when we don't have all the services they have in the blue states. So they vote up the taxes to pay for them!

[ACDSWIZ]

Most of the population growth in Cali. is illegals. That is also true in other states. Just visit N.C. for a first hand view.

[princess leah]

As an x-Californian who's been living in Arizona for the past 9 years, I am a bit worried that more liberals will move here...The women republicans need help as they voted for our GOvernor (supposedly a woman) over a good republican, Matt Salmon. Then we have a real RINO senator in Mccain...The bright spots are Sen. Kyl and Rep JD Hayworth (I was so disappointed that he's not running for Gov)...

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Arizona, Florida, Texas, #'s 2, 3, and 4 respecitvely is the fastest growing list. All without an income tax.

More people means more demand for services. Expect an income tax soon.

[who knows what evil?]

I am in New England, and am considering Idaho. However, I am aware that Californians are flooding into Idaho, and that many of them are bringing their obnoxious liberal habits with them. True?

What do you folks think? Are you seeing more conservatives coming to Idaho, or are you seeing more Volvos, Saabs, and Birkenstocks? The CDA Press seems to think that Democrats are coming on strong in that area due to California 'immigrants'.

[Mark in the Old South]

Virginia has been under assault for a long time but is the most reliable GOP state in the Southeast, tied with Oklahoma. Something is in the water here. There is a fella at Church that wears a lapel pin of the First Confederate Flag. We were talking Sunday and it turns out he was born and raised in the Midwest. Not an ounce of Souther blood either. He didn't even marry his way into the Confederacy. Southern girls could have won us the war if we had let them handle it. Once they get down here it starts to work on them.

[Verginius Rufus]

According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census figures, between 2000 and 2003 Nevada grew by 12.2%, Arizona by 8.8%, Florida by 6.5%, Texas by 6.1%, Georgia by 6.1%, and Colorado by 5.8%.

In absolute numbers, Nevada grew by about 243,000, Arizona by 450,000, Florida by 1,036,000, Texas by 1,166,000, Georgia 498,000, and Colorado by 248,000.

California had a lower percentage growth (4.%) but still increased by 1,612,000 (obviously the illegals are moving in faster than the citizens are moving out). North Carolina also had a larger growth in absolute numbers than Nevada (about 360,000).

Only North Dakota and the District of Columbia had an actual decline in numbers, but West Virginia was virtually unchanged at a 0.1% growth (about 2,000 people).

These figures are extrapolated from the 2005 edition of The World Almanac.

[Verginius Rufus]

That should be 4.8% increase for California between 2000 and 2003, rather than 4%.

[donozark]

I would note that ALL of the Red States are Right to Work States, with the exception of Ohio. This should tell everyone something...

[Recovering_Democrat]

Exterminate liberalism

WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE!