Where Immigrants Contribute Most to Economic Growth

Another good study on immigration and the economy was recently published by the Fiscal Policy Institute.  One of the more interesting points in the study shows that the cities with the least increase in immigrant workforce from 1990 to 2005 were also the areas with the least amount of economic growth during that period.


Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland all had fewer than 4.5% increases in immigrant workers for that 15 year period. Out of the 25 most populous cities in the U.S., those three were at the bottom in terms of economic growth. While the U.S. average percentage of growth was 48%, those three cities fell well below the average all under 23%.

In contrast, Phoenix had a 12.4% increase in immigrant participation during that time frame and Phoenix was number one on the list as far as percentage points for economic growth, at 126%. Only Dallas had a larger jump in immigrants joining the workforce with a 12.6% increase and their economy grew 73% during the time period.

This study is another method to rebuke claims that immigrants do not play an integral role in our economy. Rather than spreading the fear of economic woe due to immigrant participation, we should be confident that immigrants not only contribute in a meaningful manner, but would continue to do so moving forward.