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2: Population Growth, 1940–2000
- University of New Mexico Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
| 7 One factor that contributed powerfully to change in New Mexico after World War II lay in its considerable population increase. From over a half-million in 1940, the last census prior to the war, its numbers doubled by 1970, the halfway point in this study, to over a million .1 From 1970 to the year 2000 the size of the population nearly doubled again. In the latter year New Mexico contained some 1.8 million persons.2 For the entire period—1940–2000—the increase was somewhat over three and one-half times. How did Jewish population figures for the state compare with its overall growth? Counting Jewish population accurately is a daunting task. One of the underlying problems of gathering such information lies in American historical reticence to inquire into the religious preferences of its citizens. The census, so valuable a source of data about American society, asks little about the faith of the country’s inhabitants. Researchers must turn to other sources to acquire knowledge of religious affiliation. The most important reliable source for CHAPTER TWO Population Growth, 1940–2000 | chapter two 8 identifying Jews lies in congregation membership. When dues are paid to Jewish religious institutions, for example, one feels confident in identifying the payer as Jewish. The same also applies to secular Jewish organizations. When Jewish persons choose not to join or contribute to such clearly identifiable institutions and their names do not appear on membership lists, then their discovery becomes problematic even though they may still consider themselves to be Jews. By adding institutional memberships together, as long as duplication is avoided, the researcher is left with a credible minimum figure, but one that is short of the maximum. Persons in the community with a deep interest in the size of the state’s Jewish population, such as rabbis or fund-raisers, estimate that as much as 50 percent should be added to the known figures, although such guesses may leave considerable doubt. The American Jewish Year Book (henceforth AJYB), in existence since 1899, is probably the most reliable gatherer and reporter of such data.3 Nevertheless, its calculations depend upon information provided by local organizations—federations, religious institutions, and the like. Uncertainty remains, therefore, as to how many persons there are who do not associate with formal organizations but still consider themselves to be Jews. For gross figures of New Mexico’s Jewish population we will cite the data of the AJYB, which at least provide a certain consistency in determining numbers. Despite such obstacles, the Jewish population of New Mexico experiencedaremarkableincreasecomparedtothestate’sgrowth for the entire postwar period. In the years between 1940 and 2000 the percentage of the Jewish population in the state rose from 0.27 in 1940 to 0.30 in 1974, 0.40 in 1983, and 0.60 in 2000, that is, [3.239.83.89] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 07:30 GMT) population growth, 1940–2000 | 9 fromabitoverone-quarterof1percenttojust0.6of1percent.4 At best, the Jewish portion still formed only a very small fraction of the state’s total. Yet those increases came at a time when the population of the state was growing rapidly. One might also consider that the growth of Jewish numbers in New Mexico was occurring while the Jewish portion of the total American population was declining from 3.7 percent in 1940 to 2.2 percent in 2000.5 However small, and perhaps because the starting figure was so small, the increase represents a significant enlargement of the state’s Jewish community. It enabled developments in organization that would have appeared unforeseeable in 1940. This development becomes evident in light of the figures of known Jews. While in 1940 the state’s Jews numbered 1,179 (the same figure is used for 1937), 1960 yielded 2,700, 1981 offered 7,155, and 2000 noted 10,300.6 One may be certain, in light of the partial data available, that the actual figures are higher. Thus, over the entire period the Jewish population grew no less than ninefold—far more impressive than the state’s tripling. A comparison of the growth of New Mexico’s Jewry with that of other states from 1940 to 2000 also is impressive. In 1940, of forty-eight states, New Mexico’s Jewish population ranked fortyfifth among them. By 1975 it had climbed to forty-first place out of fifty states. By 2000 it had risen to thirty-second place. Only Arizona, Florida, and Nevada had grown at a...