Patterns of Immigration in Philadelphia

Where do Philadelphias immigrants and refugees come from?

Top Ten Counties of Original for Foreign-Born Population, Philadelphia City and Metro, 2006
Country of Origin India Mexico China Vietnam Korea Italy Ukraine Philippines Jamaica Germany Other
Source: Brookings , 2008

Percent of ForeignBorn 10.3% 8.4% 5.5% 4.7% 4.7% 3.0% 2.9% 2.9% 2.8% 2.5% 52.3%

Philadelphia continues to have a large immigrant population; however, there has been a shift in immigrants countries of origin over the last 40 years.

Regional Origin of Foreign-Born, Metropolitan Philadelphia 1970 and 2006

1970 Latin America, 4% Asian, 6% Other (incl. Africa), 8% 2006

Europe, 23% Asia, 39% Other, 2% Africa , 8% Europe, 82% Latin America, 28%

Source: Brookings , 2008

How large is Philadelphias immigration population?

Among its peer regions, metropolitan Philadelphia has the largest and fastest growing immigrant population which now stands at over 500,000.

Source: Brookings , 2008

Between 2000 and 2006, greater Philadelphias immigrant population grew by 113,000, nearly as many immigrants as had arrived in the decade of the 1990s.

Source: Brookings , 2008

Nearly 60% of the foreign-born living in metropolitan Philadelphia arrived in the US after 1990.

Source: Brookings , 2008

Nearly 75% of the greater Philadelphias labor force growth since 2000 is attributable to immigrants.

Source: Brookings , 2008

What are the English language skills and educational levels of Philadelphias immigrants?

17% of households in Philadelphia speak a language other than English as their first language
Source: Mayors Commission on Literacy, 2010

Speaking abilities of foreign-born in Philadelphia 11% speak no English 22% speak English not very well 22% speak English well 45% speak English very well

Source: Mayors Commission on Literacy, 2010

Keep in mind that English language abilities do not always correlate with education levels in an immigrants native country.

For example Some English Language learners have advanced degrees from their native country. However, they may have very limited English speaking skills. Also, some English language learners may be non-literate or have very low levels of literacy (reading and writing) in their native language.

Educational attainment for foreign-born population compared with native- born population
Highest level of education Less than a high school diploma High school diploma/GED Some college Bachelors or higher Foreign Born Population 20.6% 24.5% 17.5% 37.4% Native Born Population 12.7% 32.9% 23.6% 30.7%

Source: Mayors Commission on Literacy, 2010

References
Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. (2008). Recent Immigration to Philadelphia: Regional change in a re emerging gateway. Washington, DC: Brookings. Mayors Commission on Literacy. (2010). Session 1: Who are the Learners, ESL Tutor Training. Philadelphia.