Iowa is losing updates on Latino population, economic data
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A years-long project tracking Iowa's Latino population is winding down and transitioning into its next phase after losing its primary funding.
Why it matters: Without detailed data showing how policies affect Latinos, Iowa's fastest-growing population risks being left out of key policy decisions, says Iowa Latinx Project coordinator Dawn Martinez Oropeza.
State of play: The Iowa Latinx Project collects and analyzes demographic data.
- Its findings have shown that Latino children fare better in smaller, more integrated communities like Marshall County and that second- and third-generation families are helping offset population loss in rural Iowa.
- That information is shared in an annual report and a dashboard people can use to dive deeper into census data.
How it started: Martinez Oropeza started the project in 2019, beginning with quantifying Latinos' economic contributions to Marshalltown.
- That grew into a broader statewide effort.
What they're saying: Mid-Iowa Health Foundation has been the project's primary funder in recent years and has provided $220,000 in support, foundation president Nalo Johnson tells Axios.
- However, it's not the foundation's practice to be a continuous or sole funder for any program, Johnson says.
- The last update will be in March 2028 with 2027 data, Martinez Oropeza says.
Yes, but: The Iowa Latinx Project is using its remaining funding to help extend its work in ways other groups can use, including a new toolkit that makes its research easier to use and understand.
The big picture: In 2024, Iowa lawmakers voted to end the state's Commission of Latino Affairs and Office of Latino Affairs, which helped with identifying and addressing issues affecting Latino Iowans.
The bottom line: Without the project and the commission collecting updated data, Martinez Oropeza says she fears that Latino Iowans won't have a seat at the table.