Immigrants living in Long Beach were 18.5 percent more likely to be entrepreneurs than their U.S.-born counterparts in 2016 and helped create or preserve nearly 6,000 local manufacturing jobs, according to a report released Monday by New American Economy.
New Americans in Long Beach is part of a larger NAE Cities Index report that for the first time ever looked at how the country’s 100 largest cities welcome immigrants, with a focus on their demographics and economic contributions. New American Economy is a bipartisan organization advocating for federal, state and local immigration policies that focus on growing the economy.
“Long Beach is proud of our diverse community. The city’s Economic Development Blueprint and reports like this are steps we are actively taking to continue making our city a place for all,” Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement.
Here are some highlights of the report:
- The top five countries of origin for Long Beach immigrants are: Mexico, the Philippines, Cambodia, El Salvador and Vietnam.
- In 2016, there were 30,775 undocumented immigrants (24 percent of overall immigrants) in Long Beach.
- These undocumented immigrant households paid $61.7 million in federal taxes and $20.2 million in state and local taxes, leaving them with $399.7 million in spending power.
- Immigrants make up 26.6 percent of the population, but represent 35.9 percent of entrepreneurs.
- In 2012, local black-owned businesses generated $136.7 million; Hispanic-owned businesses generated $602.7 million; and Asian-owned businesses generated $2.4 billion.
- While 38.3 percent of U.S.-born residents held a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2016, only 16.8 percent of immigrants did so.
- In 2016, 30 percent of immigrant households owned their home, compared to 39.4 percent of the U.S.-born population.
To read the full report click here.