The Geography of Immigrant Skills

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Area

Immigrant skill ratio
189 high-skilled immigrants for every 100 low-skilled immigrants

HIGH

Low Balanced High

0 - 75 75 - 125 125 +

Immigrant gateway type All post-World War II gateways

Former Post-World War II gateways emerged as large
immigrant hubs during the mid-20th century. These
Major-Continuous
destinations had comparatively small immigrant
Minor-Continuous populations until the 1950s, but grew rapidly there-
Post-World War II after. Many are now major immigrant destinations,
in some cases rivaling the status of a few of the Los Angeles Washington, DC
Emerging
major continuous gateways. Riverside
Re-Emerging San Diego
Dallas High skill ratio
Pre-Emerging Houston Balanced skill ratio
For complete definitions of each gateway type,
Low Immigration refer to the full report » Miami Low skill ratio

Post-World War II gateways comparison, 2009

Metro area population Immigrants by skill level (ages 25 and over)
Total Immigrant % immigrant Low (%) Mid (%) High (%) Skill ratio
Washington, DC 5,476,241 1,103,271 20.1 198,944 (21.5) 349,705 (37.9) 375,164 (40.6) 189
Miami 5,547,051 2,059,170 37.1 458,837 (25.4) 926,746 (51.2) 422,811 (23.4) 92
San Diego 3,053,793 694,238 22.7 201,436 (33.6) 236,473 (39.5) 160,775 (26.9) 80
Los Angeles 12,874,797 4,434,012 34.4 1,477,201 (37.8) 1,507,441 (38.6) 919,667 (23.6) 62
Houston 5,865,086 1,278,413 21.8 448,877 (42.6) 370,177 (35.1) 235,140 (22.3) 52
Dallas 6,447,228 1,142,122 17.7 421,771 (45.3) 308,663 (33.1) 201,605 (21.6) 48
Riverside 4,143,113 883,150 21.3 323,273 (41.8) 325,415 (42.1) 124,624 (16.1) 39

Source: Hall et. al 2011 http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/06_immigrants_singer.aspx