New Census Data Sheds Light On U.S. Immigration Trends

These data demonstrate how immigrants are no longer moving to the so-called "gateway states" -- New York, California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and New Jersey -- and instead are spreading out to other states that traditionally have seen very little immigration since the Europeans in the mid-20th Century. Nearly twenty years ago, 75 to 80 percent of new immigrants settled in one of the "gateway states", but now less traditional locations are destinations for newcomers to the United States.

"Indiana saw a 34 percent increase in the number of immigrants; South Dakota saw a 44 percent rise; Delaware 32 percent; Missouri 31 percent; Colorado 28 percent; and New Hampshire 26 percent."

The largest country of exodus for immigrants? Mexico, with 11 million in 2005 alone, compared to 1.8 million Chinese and 1.4 million Indians. Europeans have drastically reduced their immigration to the United States, having plummeted by 30 percent in 5 years.

Besides new immigration data, the 'American Community Survey' reveals a striking educational fact: 27.2 percent of Americans now hold a bachelor’s degree, up from 24.4 percent in 2000. This contrasts sharply from 1940, where only 4.6 percent obtained a bachelor's degree. Other data include specifics on aging while future information in the upcoming months will reveal income, poverty, and housing trends.

Thanks to Irvin Dawid