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Rural California: The Conditions of Ethnic and Economic Patchwork Professor and Director, JSRI JSRI Visiting Research Scholar Roosevelt University December 1997 For more than a decade, communities in California have become increasingly Latino, or "mejicano." At the same time, the economic well-being of California's agricultural communities has become increasingly defined by the race and ethnicity of residents. Communities with higher concentrations of Latinos, for example, tend to have greater poverty, lower median incomes, and smaller proportions of residents with high school or college degrees. Most studies have focused on immigration from Mexico and other parts of Latin America as the cause of these conditions. However, these studies have neglected the concurrent changes that are occurring with the non-Latino White population. In this report we examine the processes affecting the rates of concentration or "Latinization" of rural communities. These processes include the changing demographics of both Latinos and non-Latino Whites, between and within communities. We also examine the extent to which Latino concentration and White exodus correlate with declining socio-economic conditions. Our analysis is based on data we collected on over 280 California communities. Our database covers the demographic and economic changes that have occurred in each community between 1980 and 1990. We also apply regression analysis to determine how changes in ethnic composition affect socio-economic conditions. In addition, we incorporate more recent information from our qualitative study of four communities in Fresno Tulare Counties. This information comes from focus groups and interviews with local leaders (public and private) in our selected communities. Limited time precluded us from surveying more places. But from Fresno County alone, we derive a "qualitative sense" of why people move and what people consider to be the changing socio-economic conditions of their respective communities. In addition, several of our interviews resulted in ideas and suggestions for the development of "Mexican Towns." Altogether, we combine information from both the quantitative "macro" perspective with the qualitative "micro" perspectives, to understand the determinants of Latino concentration, White exodus, and the notions people have about community conditions. While news reports and studies suggest that labor intensive agricultural production and Mexican immigration are the chief causes of Latino concentration and deprivation in rural California, we find, however, that changes in the non-Latino population account for more of the "Latinization" of rural communities than the settlement of Latinos who are foreign born. We also find that the settlement of Latinos depends more on the cost and availability of housing and year-round job availability than strictly seasonal agricultural employment. Our qualitative information suggests that ethnic differences (including perceptions of conflict) and community deterioration, better explain the decisions of non-Latino Whites to move from "Mexican Towns." Whites often move nearby and continue to hold jobs in "Mexican Towns." But their property taxes and former purchases also leave with them when they move from the "Mexican Towns." Our study suggests a continuing growth in the number of "Mexican Towns," with increasing concentrations of "mejicanos" or foreign born. Concomitantly, our study suggests more concentration of non-Hispanics in distinguishable White "Anglo" communities in rural California. Interestingly, to a noticeable degree, second generation "mejicanos," or "Chicanos," are also moving out of communities with high concentrations of Latinos, many to "Anglo Towns." However, Chicanos are less likely to move out of "Mexican Towns" to the same degree as non-Hispanic Whites. As a result of these different types of socio-economic conditions and personal feelings, places in rural California are becoming increasingly demarcated by the race and ethnicity of residents. Rural California is becoming a mosaic of extreme ethnic and economic patchwork. Such conditions will make it increasingly difficult for state and federal support to community and economic development. Nonetheless, we end our paper with some suggestions for developing
"Mexican Towns." We hope the reader of this report
will first take the time to understand the paper, before looking
at the end for "solutions." Hardcopy Price: $0.00
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