New Immigrants on Long Island: A vital sixth of the economy
Based on data from the 2009 American Community Survey and the 2010 and earlier decennial censuses, this report paints a detailed portrait of the economic contribution of immigrants to Long Island.
Immigrants share in the general affluence of the suburban population in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. More than half (54%) work in white collar jobs. Forty-eight percent of immigrant families (compared to 52% of native-born families) earn between $80,000 and $199,999, and another 13% (compared to 16% of native-born families) earn more than $200,000.
Yet earnings for individual immigrants are 25% less than U.S.-born. Immigrants are overrepresented in some blue-collar and service jobs, e.g. machine operators (50%), gardening and farm workers (44%), construction laborers (42%), and private household and personal services workers (37%). Twenty-two percent of the small businesses on Long Island are owned by immigrants.
While immigrants make up 16% of the population, they account for 17% of total economic output. (Summary by Nick Montalto.)
Fiscal Policy Institute. (2011). New Immigrants on Long Island: A Vital Sixth of the Economy. Fiscal Policy Institute: New York. Retrieved from https://fiscalpolicy.org/FPI_NewAmericansOnLongIsland_20120119.pdf