Immigrants' First Stop: Suburbia

New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that new immigrants have been heading to small towns and suburban areas rather than big cities over the past decade.

1 minute read

December 15, 2010, 11:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Following jobs to rural and suburban areas, in industries like construction and the food business, immigrant populations rose more than 60 percent in places where immigrants made up fewer than 5 percent of the population in 2000. In areas that had been home to the most immigrants, the foreign-born population was flat over that period.

In Los Angeles County, long a major destination for new immigrants, the foreign-born population remained largely unchanged for the first time in several decades. In contrast, it quadrupled in Newton County, in central Georgia outside Atlanta."

The trends are based on estimates from the American Community Survey, collected over the course of five years from roughly 10 percent of the U.S. population.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in The New York Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

Five people squat by a tree in NYC, helping to care for it.

NYC plants over 18,000 trees, the most new foliage in a decade

Many of the trees were planted in communities vulnerable to extreme heat.

15 minutes ago - AM NY

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking behind a podium, pointing a finger upwards. The American and California flags are behind him.

New bill requires California data center developers to create water scarcity plans

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed 7 bills intended to give California communities more information about the impact of proposed data centers.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two women sit inside a Metropolitan Transit System streetcar.

San Diego may kill one-third of its bus routes as budget crisis looms

Under the city's proposed plan, 21% of Metropolitan Transit System riders would lose access to transit services.

2 hours ago - San Diego Union-Tribune