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The County's Population Growth
Many county residents see the county's population growth revealed in
the 2000 Census as a bad thing. In fact, they are twice as likely to
see it as a bad thing than as a good thing (41% to 22%). People in the
North and South County, overall, evaluate growth about the same. However,
perceptions vary considerably by race and ethnicity: Non-Hispanic whites
are much more likely to think that growth has been a bad thing than
a good thing (47% to 18%). Latinos and Asians are more divided on the
implications of county population growth, with the largest percentage
saying it has made no difference.
According to demographers, births to current residents are by far the
greatest cause of population growth in the state's major regions, including
Orange County. However, most Orange County residents think otherwise:
48 percent believe immigration is the single biggest factor in the growth,
while 34 percent name migration from elsewhere in California or from
other states. Only 7 percent point to births, and 3 percent say state
and local policies. Across regions of the county and racial and ethnic
groups, births to current residents are overlooked as a cause of county
growth. North County and South County vary in their perceptions of the
importance of immigration versus internal migration. Compared to Asians
and non-Hispanic whites, Latinos are less likely to mention migration
from within the United States as a cause of county population growth.
Table: "Which of the
following do you think is the most negative consequence of Orange County's
population growth?"
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