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According to the Baja California governor's office, Baja California has more foreign residents living here than in any other state of Mexico - 122,664 representing 3.89% of the total population of the state.

That's the 2010 census figure; here are all the states:

Migración Internacional

Looks like it has almost doubled since 2000.

I was wondering where they got the numbers. So these figures are from the recent census meaning it should be as close to realistic as we will get.

I also noticed that the 2010 census counted 961,121 total foreigners as residents in Mexico. Maybe that is where they get the million Gringos in Mexico figure you hear tossed about???

Attached is the census report in Excel format if anybody is interested...

Given proximity to the border, it should come as little surprise that BC has the most foreign residents. And, I'd venture a guess, given from information that has been posted on Baja web sites, that many of those folks actually commute NOB for work.

That actually means that Jalisco probably is home to the most foreigners who do not commute. As anyone who has been the Ajijic/ Chapala region will attest, there are areas that are absolute foreign ghettos.

I thought the numbers for Baja California Sur seemed a little low. I wonder how well the census really covered that area. Just curious if everybody here who lives in BCS recorded in the census???

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I thought the numbers for Baja California Sur seemed a little low. I wonder how well the census really covered that area. Just curious if everybody here who lives in BCS recorded in the census???

I can't speak for everybody, but they sure did their best to include me. First someone came around to verify who was living in the house in accordance with the catastro records. Later a census-taker made two visits while I was away on a short trip and left papers. I called INEGI when I got back and was given a password to complete the census online. Then there were at least two follow-up visits, one by "my" census-taker, who noted the ID# of my online response, and the other by someone else verifying that I had in fact been counted.

Keep in mind that BCS is the least populated state in Mexico overall (600K-something), and that many if not most foreigners are part-timers. I'd be surprised if the number of foreign full-time residents were much higher than what is reported.

Didn't they tell you how they take core area samples & extrapolate that out somehow?? Do you remember if there were any questions about full-time or part-time residency in the questions? I kinda doubt they track to that level.

Not living in the core La Paz area, I've never been visited by census folks....so don't be squealing on me....I'm apparently a state secret!

One of the questions they asked was if we were full or part timers.

"I'm apparently a state secret!"

I'll bet not with contractors in the area...

I have talked to several gringos living down here who weren't counted. It would be interesting to know what the real number truly is???

Okay....I'll go first....my hand is up....you got me counted? There's one! Hand now down, so as not to screw up your count!! Keep counting!

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Okay....I'll go first....my hand is up....you got me counted? There's one! Hand now down, so as not to screw up your count!! Keep counting!

But wait - we have more questions...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

But wait - we have more questions...

WHAT CENSUS:

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

But wait - we have more questions...

Good luck...

Maybe they use FM3 / FM2 numbers to calculate.

Originally Posted by J.P.

WHAT CENSUS:

We were visited out at La Chorera last year by census workers who asked questions ranging from nationality to if anyone of us was handicapped. My wife looked at me and then asked them if that included mentally deranged???

Originally Posted by ncampion

Maybe they use FM3 / FM2 numbers to calculate.

According to the attached doc the numbers were derived from the census. It looks like many foreign residents were not counted and the true number may indeed be higher...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

We were visited out at La Chorera last year by census workers who asked questions ranging from nationality to if anyone of us was handicapped. My wife looked at me and then asked them if that included mentally deranged???

Please accept my compliments on having married a very wise & witty woman!! Way to go C! :

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

According to the attached doc the numbers were derived from the census. It looks like many foreign residents were not counted and the true number may indeed be higher...

I also believe the true numbers are higher, but it would also depend on what exact criteria is used to determine residency....if it's restricted to only 11-12 months a year physical presence? 10 months? 9, 8, 7, 6 months??? By my way of thinking, home ownership, combined with a 1-6 month physical presence, either continuous or cumulative presence wouldn't/shouldn't make the cut as resident....but without knowing the specific criteria used by the Mexican government....

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Please accept my compliments on having married a very wise & witty woman!! Way to go C! :

No doubt...

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

I also believe the true numbers are higher, but it would also depend on what exact criteria is used to determine residency....if it's restricted to only 11-12 months a year physical presence? 10 months? 9, 8, 7, 6 months??? By my way of thinking, home ownership, combined with a 1-6 month physical presence, either continuous or cumulative presence wouldn't/shouldn't make the cut as resident....but without knowing the specific criteria used by the Mexican government....

If I remember correctly they asked us if we were just here on vacation or lived here most of the year...

I don't think a census taker would ever find his/her way out to our place. Even if they did, I wouldn't go out to the gate and the dogs would scare him/her away. Better add two to the number just for kicks.

I talked to some Gringos living in Mexico City the other day and almost all of them told me they were counted in the census. On the flight back I talked with two who live in the Rosarito area. Neither one of them was counted.

I would like to know if their numbers are only those actually interviewed or if they do some fudge factor adjustments to the final count?