Rice University logo
 
 
Hobby Center for the Study of Texas
 
 

Contact Us

Hobby Center for the Study of Texas
Rice University
PO Box 1892
MS 202
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Phone: 713-348-4208
Fax: 713-348-5296
e-mail: hobbycenter@rice.edu 

News

The Texas Economy

You are about to hear from Rice University Professor Steve Murdock, former director of the U.S. Census and Texas State Demographer. He will elaborate on reasons for Texas’ rural population decline that has been occurring while metropolitan area populations have surged.

The last decade was a good example. We had the largest increase in Texas history in terms of our total population. Yet we had approximately 10 more declining counties this decade than last decade, virtually all of them, of course, in rural Texas.  It is very clear that rural Texas continues to suffer at least in terms of population.

Leaders Plan Regions Economic Future at UTEP

The Seeds of a collaborative plan for economic development of the Paso del Norte region were planted during UTEP Opportunity Days at The U of Texas at El Paso. About 100 leaders from the fields of business, education, nonprofits and government shared ideas for a model that will blend accessibility to college, completion of a marketable degreee, and the opportunity to find a high-end job in the El Paso area...

Rice U Sociologist estimates Texas' largest increase in Growth

Steve Murdock, a Rice University Sociologist and former Director of the U.S. Census Bureau, recently discussed some of the 2010-2011 Census population estimates showing Texas' remarkable growth. 

The Census showed that Texas has had the largest increase in growth of any state in the nation, which Murdock said demonstrates the continued, very rapid and dramatic growth of the state's population.

Rice to update influential 'Texas Challenge' study for policymakers

Two influential books that charted population trends and significantly impacted public policy in Texas and other states for more than 15 years are set to get a 21st-century makeover, courtesy of a generous grant from the Meadows Foundation to Rice University's Hobby Center for the Study of Texas.

Population ‘Tipping Point’ in Texas, as Hispanics Get Closer to Parity With Whites

A phenomenal surge in Hispanics has fueled the population growth in Texas, which gained more people over the last decade than any other state, according to United States Census Bureau figures.

Trends show Texas increasingly urban and Latino

The 2010 Census offered proof that the old Texas mythology is now part of history, revealing a state that is increasingly urban and Latino.

Texas Census Paints Evolving State Portrait of Old Anglos, Young Hispanics

Rising Young Hispanics in Texas Poised to Pick Up Aging Tab.

Hispanic surge, metro area growth could reshape Texas’ political future

When the first Texas numbers gush from the U.S. Census Bureau over the next few weeks, they’ll show a state more diverse and more divided than ever.