The latest American Community Survey, an in-depth look at US demography by the Census Bureau, indicates that more and more immigrants have begun to move into smaller cities and suburban areas in the past few years. Immigrants have found a piece of the American dream in cities like Everett, Malden, Revere, and many other surrounding towns. An increase in job opportunities and close proximity to Boston has almost tripled the population of immigrants in Boston-area cities since 1990.
Many immigrants are moving to cities like Everett because they can find work while remaining a part of a major metro area. Most importantly, moving to smaller cities often provides the chance to send their children to better schools. Suburban areas have also seen an increase in their immigrant population, including towns like Marlborough, Waltham, and Lexington. While immigrants will ultimately contribute economically and socially to these communities, it's important to educate the current residents about the positive contributions newcomers will make through programs like Welcoming America.
An increase in the immigrant population has also been seen in rural areas. Regions that have only seen a small increase in their population at 2% per year, have documented that 37% of that small increase consists of the foreign-born.
In the past decade the increased movement of immigrants into suburban and rural areas can be understood in relation to the growth of the construction and food industry. Both industries give many immigrants the opportunity to work and provide for their families--the main motivator for their hard work and sacrifice.
Cities close to Boston have seen the economic benefits that immigrant entrepreneurs have made to their cities. The diversity and contributions to the economy have been increasing as their numbers have. And with each step immigrants take out of the city, the wider their voices will be heard. Legislators will have to pay closer attention to these changing demographics as immigrants become important constituents in more and more districts.
Recent immigrants are settling beyond the urban core, and into suburban and rural regions, extending their hopes and dreams for a good life beyond city life.
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