Description |
Utah is generally perceived as an extremely homogeneous state whose population can trace its ancestry mostly to northern Europe. Listings for surnames like Hansen, Jensen, and Christensen do fill many pages in local telephone directories throughout the state. According to census counts, the minority population never exceeded 2 percent in Utah until 1970.1 Some have gone so far as to suggest that the unique culture and corresponding "whiteness" of Utah have created an unfriendly environment for minorities thereby reinforcing the homogeneity. In truth, the north central section of the U.S., a region extending from Idaho in the west to Wisconsin in the east, has few minorities. Perhaps it is a surprise to many that Utah currently has a greater proportion of minorities than all but one other state within this region. Contrary to prevailing perceptions, Utah has emerged as gateway for immigrants. They have come in such large numbers, especially from Latin America, that the minority population is now 15 percent of the total. This ongoing cultural and demographic transformation is so significant that it marks a new era of diversity for Utah. |