Chapter 4 Summary: Americas Population

The population of United States has grown in substantial number, with 312 million at the
end of 2011 (Greensberg). An increase in the population creates economic growth because more
individuals are contributing to federal and state taxes. Immigrants are forming more small
businesses to serve one another, which promotes supply and demand. However, there are
consequences tied along when the population is booming. Resources such as oil have become a
necessity for individuals to commute to work. The pollutants and harmful deposits released into
the atmosphere can have long-term consequences towards the environment. Moreover,
immigration is an important factor to consider when there is a change in population
(Greensburg). Immigrants with religious and ethnic background have migrated from different
countries to settle in the United States. Immigrants have contributed to society with their cultural,
religious, and linguistic traditions, which helps solidify the nations diversity. According the
Edward S. Greensburg, who is the author for The Struggle for Democracy, asserts that nonHispanic whites make the majority of the U.S. population with 63.7 percent overall, while
Hispanics make 16.3 percent of the population (Greensberg). In 2009 and 2010, the rise of
border enforcement has stricken the population growth in the United States (Greensberg).
However, 92 percent of the population growth between the years 2000-2010 was minorities; in
which Hispanics dominated almost half (Greensberg).
Immigrants have caused tension amongst citizens from different states because 40 percent
believe immigrants are taking away job opportunities and public benefits from them
(Greensberg). 11 million people in the U.S. are illegal, with 75 percent being Hispanic
(Greensberg). The Tea Party has issues with illegal immigration. States such as Arizona have
strived to limit the amount of immigrants residing there (Greensberg). However, the majority of
Americans believe that illegal immigrants should be granted citizenship and shouldnt surrender
that right. In 2012, Obama had taken initiation to allow undocumented immigrants who were
brought to this country as children the privilege to stay for three years as long if they didnt break
the law (Greensberg). Furthermore, immigrants have contributed to the American politics
because they have saturated different states. This can have a major impact in the Electoral
College and the officials elected in all levels of government. Government officials have to adapt
to the needs of both citizens and immigrants to create a balance. Hispanic voters were actively
involved in the 2008 election, which have drastically changed the outcome for the presidential
election and other government officials position.
During the Recession, Americans faced troubles of selling their homes and migrating out
to metropolitan areas for opportunities. Rural areas over a period of time have decline in
population because individuals are seeking suburban territories in the South and West
(Greensberg). People are moving into these Sun Belt states because the weather creates a more
comfortable living, especially when opportunities are there to increase the standard of living.
According the 2010 U.S. Census, 93.7 percent of American settled in urban areas, mostly in
suburban neighborhoods (Greensberg). Industrialization strengthened suburban areas because of
the federal and state jobbing programs for war veterans after World War II (Greensberg).
Furthermore, the decline in population in rural areas has effect Senate because every state
regardless of population has the same number of seats (Greensberg). Since the population shifted
over to the Southern and Western States, the East and Midwest have lost presidential electoral
votes and congressional seats (Greensberg).
The United States has consistently ranked amongst the top in gross domestic product,

which designs a comfortable and luxurious standard of living that individuals strive for.
However, during the financial crash in 2007, Americans faced difficulties in recuperating from
the crisis. The median household incomes have significantly decline after the economic crisis
2007 (Greenberg). From years 2007 through 2011, the median household income has dropped
from 3.2 percent to another 6.7 percent over that time period (Greensberg). This inevitably led to
an increase in unemployment rates; about 8 percent between the years of 2011 and 2012
(Greensberg). The median household fluctuates from each targeted demographic. African
Americans and Hispanics faced several hardships during the economic crash in 2007 because
they have the lowest median household income (Greensberg). Meanwhile, non-Hispanic whites
and Asian Americans are amongst the top in household income within the United States
(Greensberg). The imbalance of median household income between each ethnic group creates a
hostile environment because people living in poverty have to face the odds of prospering in the
United States.
In addition, poverty is common amongst diverse minorities, single-mothers, and single
parents. In 2010, about 15.3 percent of Americans were consider to be below the poverty line
because the detrimental effects of the 2007 Recession (Greensberg). According to the
Supplemental Poverty Measure, 49 million individuals residing in the United States are poor
(Greensberg). Of those 49 million, 26 percent are African Americans and 27 percent are Hispanic
American (Greensberg). This hindrance of poverty has social consequences because it
encourages crime and drug-use, which affects communities (Greensburg). Furthermore, poverty
is constant battle many Americans experience due to imbalances in wealth distribution. The
degree of wealth inequality has a dramatic effect on poverty since the top quintile received 50
percent of the national income, while the 1 percent took 24 percent of the national income
(Greensberg). Joseph Stiglitz, who is a NobelPrize economist, states that around 40 percent of
nations wealth is in the hands of the 1 percent (Greensberg). Many middle class citizens are in
trouble because of the stagnant living conditions. The majority of the middle class has lost their
trust with the government because of their failure to restore the economy.

Discussion questions:
How does the wealth distribution among the top quintile and the one percent affect the middleclass?
How are suburban neighborhoods in the U.S. affected when there is an increase of migration
from different ethnic groups?
What are some of the challenges government officials face when trying to acquire votes from a
diverse demographic?

Works Cited:
Greenberg, S. Edward. The Struggle for Democracy. Edited by Craig Campanella. Pearson
Education. 2014.