Abstract

MENDOZA, Cristóbal. Sociodemografía de la región fronteriza México-Estados Unidos: tendencias recientes. Pap. poblac [online]. 2001, vol.7, n.30, pp.31-63. ISSN 2448-7147.

The aim of this paper is to describe and analyze recent trends in US-Mexican border demographics. The underlying research question is until what extent there is a unique border region in socio-demographic terms or, by contrast, the international line is an effective deterrent for spatial diffusion of socio-demographics. The paper uses 1990 and 2000 US and Mexican Census for a large border region that covers totally or partially nine Mexican and five US states. Data on population distribution and density, age structure and migration are presented by municipality/country. The paper concludes that, with the exception of migration (even here with a cautious note), census do not provide evidence of a unified border region in demographic terms. Rather striking, differences persist in terms of population distribution and growth, and age profile on both sides of the border. These differences suggest that spatial diffusion of socio-demographics is limited through the border.