The New Americans

 

Technical Notes

Data

Data for 1990 are taken from the STF4a census files at the census tract level, aggregating upward to match the geographic boundaries of metropolitan regions, cities, and suburbs in 2000. 

Data for 2000 are taken from the SF3 Profiles released by the Census Bureau in May-June 2002 for metropolitan regions and cities.  Data for “suburbs” represent the difference between the metro total and the city or cities defined by the Census as “central cities” in the region.

The original source for information in both years is the Census’s long form questionnaire, which was completed by a 1-in-6 sample of households.  They are estimates subject to sampling error.  Therefore for areas with small populations, or small numbers of a particular category of residents, users should be aware that the sample values may be considerably different than if a full-count number were available.

Ranking Calculations

Our rankings of immigrant destinations are based on the number of immigrants entering the metro area in the last decade, with more immigrants indicating a greater degree of attractiveness to new comers.

Description of Variables

Foreign Born: Foreign-born population – i.e. people who are not U.S. citizens at birth. . This variable provides a category for those individuals who have entered the country within the last 10 years and one for those that entered earlier.

Language Spoken at Home: The language currently used by respondents at home, either "English only" or a non-English language that is used in addition to English or in place of English. This variable provides three categories for those individuals who speak English: (1) speaks English only; (2) speaks English well; and (3) speaks English poorly.

U.S. Born: Population born in the United States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Island Areas.