Idaho outpaces most other states in Latino income growth. Why? And how much?
Idaho Latinos saw their incomes grow at a higher rate than those in California, Texas, Florida and New York over the last decade.
Idaho, where Latinos make up around 9% of the population, saw Latino incomes grow at an annual rate of about 7% from 2011 to 2021, according to a report by the Latino Donor Collaborative and Wells Fargo.
The Gem State ranked eighth among all 50 U.S. states in the rate of Latino income growth. Income growth refers to the pay which Latinos obtained from doing “productive activities.”
In 2011 the average income Latinos earned in Idaho was $16,929, according to the Latino Donor Collaborative. In 2021 the average income was $30,088, a nearly a 56% increase in 10 years, unadjusted for inflation.
“Human capital, driven foremost by progress in educational attainment, is key to the rapid development of the U.S. Latino economy,” the report said.
The number of Latinos holding a bachelor’s degree or higher increased over the last decade by 6.8% annually, compared with 2.8% for non-Latinos.
Nationwide, from 2011 to 2021, Latino income grew at an annual rate of 4.7% compared with 1.9% for non-Latinos, according to the report.
Mari Ramos, spokesperson for the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, attributes the growth to a “heightened focus” and advocacy efforts on behalf of Latino business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
“What’s truly remarkable is how this initiative is creating opportunities for everyone, including our undocumented community,” Ramos said in an email. “Business ownership is no longer seen as a distant dream, but a tangible avenue of success for them and their families.”
The Latino Donor Collaborative report, released Wednesday, agrees with statewide reporting about the growing number of Latinos entering the workforce in Idaho.
The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs’ Hispanic Profile Data Book says the number more than doubled, from about 43,000 to 105,100, from 2000 to 2021. Latinos made up 11% of Idaho’s nearly million-member workforce in 2021.
The commission found that Idaho Latinos were more likely to be part of the labor force than non-Latinos. In 2018, about 70% were part of the labor force in Idaho, compared with 61% of non-Latinos. A person is classified as being in the labor force if the person is at least 16 and either employed or looking for work.
Ramos said the “support” and “unity” from Latino supporting organizations like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs have helped to empower Latino workers to self-advocate at work and negotiate higher wages.
“Together, we are creating a network of resources and opportunities that enable individuals to not only find their voice but to also advance their careers and businesses,” Ramos said.
Latino incomes grew the most in South and North Dakota, according to the donor report. There, Latino incomes grew by 11.8% and 11.6% respectively.
Those states were followed by New Hampshire and Maine, which grew by 10% and 9% respectively. Latino income increased by 7% in Idaho, Georgia, Oregon and Arkansas.
