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Immigration Statistics in Houston
Immigrants are a valuable part of the workforce and Houston’s future. Additionally, individuals considering moving to Houston or investing in the area may want to know more about the city’s population estimates and diversity.
Businesses often devise advertising and marketing strategies based on the demographics of a place. Lastly, local service providers that supply services to the immigrant population find such information invaluable.
As immigration lawyers in Houston, we deal with varied immigration issues daily. This article delves into Houston’s immigration and population statistics.
If you have any immigration-related questions or concerns or need someone to assist you with the Mexican Consulate, look no further. We are here to help.
Overview of Houston’s Immigrant Population
Houston is a rapidly growing metropolitan area in the United States with a diverse population greatly influenced by immigration. By 2017, Houston had more Latinos than non-Hispanic whites living there.
According to a report by the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2017, the Houston area had a total population of 7 million residents, up from 6 million in 2010, evidencing a rapidly growing and diverse population. As per the American Community Survey in 2021, nearly one in four Houstonians were foreign-born.
More jobs were generated in Houston than in any other metropolitan area except New York and Dallas in 2017-18. A remarkably stable economy in Houston has been the foundation for this growth.
Characteristics of Houston's Immigrant Population
The Migration Policy Institute, in its report published in 2018, noted that Houston’s immigrant population comprised roughly equal sections of legal permanent residents (LPRs), unauthorized immigrants, and naturalized U.S. citizens. The same report highlights that out of a total of 1.66 million foreign-born residents in Houston, 541,000 were naturalized citizens, and 531,000 were LPRs.
Between 2014 and 2016, there was an increase of about 25% in the unauthorized immigrant population in Houston.
The National Origins of Unauthorized Immigrants in Houston
Unauthorized immigrants in Houston have a narrower range of origins than other immigrants in Houston. The majority of unauthorized immigrants were found to be from Central America and Mexico.
In 2016, 78 percent of Houston’s foreign-born residents emanated from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, or Guatemala. This figure is higher than the national average, suggesting that most immigrants crossed the border illegally rather than by overstaying their visas. This could be due to their proximity to the Mexican border.
This distinction is essential as visa-overstayers are not treated as harshly regarding time bars from reentering the U.S. as border jumpers are. The effect is that there are more limited opportunities for Mexican and Central American border jumpers to adjust their legal status.
Houston is a rapidly growing metropolitan area in the United States with a diverse population greatly influenced by immigration. By 2017, Houston had more Latinos than non-Hispanic whites living there.
According to a report by the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2017, the Houston area had a total population of 7 million residents, up from 6 million in 2010, evidencing a rapidly growing and diverse population. As per the American Community Survey in 2021, nearly one in four Houstonians were foreign-born.
More jobs were generated in Houston than in any other metropolitan area except New York and Dallas in 2017-18. A remarkably stable economy in Houston has been the foundation for this growth.
Family Dynamics of Unauthorized Immigrants in Houston
Many unauthorized immigrants live in the same residences as relatives with green cards or U.S. citizens.
Statistics show that, in 2016, 20% of unauthorized adults in Houston were married to either a U.S. citizen or a green card holder. 26% were married to another undocumented immigrant or a legal non-citizen, such as an international student or temporary worker. Marriage to a U.S. citizen is the fastest way for a non-citizen to become a citizen.
If an unauthorized immigrant living in the U.S. can prove that their absence from the U.S. would cause a U.S. citizen or LPR family member extreme hardship, they may be able to apply for an adjustment of status and remain in the U.S. while their application is being processed without having to leave the U.S.
Often immigrant parents and their children have different legal statuses in Houston. In 2016, it was reported that 44% of children in Houston had at least one immigrant parent, and one-third of them had at least one unauthorized immigrant parent.
Home Ownership by Houston Immigrants
Sixty-five percent of the U.S.-born population owns houses. Interestingly, immigrants in Houston are just a little behind, with 56% of immigrants owning houses.
Homeownership for Houston immigrants can be broken down as follows:
- Naturalized citizens – 79%
- LPRs – 49%
- Unauthorized immigrants – 41%
Asylum Seekers in Houston
It is challenging to ascertain data on the exact number of asylum seekers. However, Houston has many asylum seekers due to its proximity to the Mexico border, and many of the asylum seekers are Central Americans.
It is estimated that there are approximately 26,900 asylum seekers in Houston. The presence of many immigrant communities, an asylum office, and immigration courts in Houston have resulted in Houston attracting large numbers of asylum seekers.
Contribution of Houston’s Immigrant Population to the Economy
Immigrants are responsible for 26% of Houston’s GDP. In 2016, Houston immigrants earned $50.9 billion. They contributed $9.2 billion in federal taxes and $3.5 billion in state and local taxes.
In the same year, immigrants in Houston held $38.2 billion in spending power.
Another meaningful contribution made by immigrants to the local economy is that immigrants contributed $5 billion to Social Security and another $1.4 billion to health care programs such as Medicare or health insurance in the Houston region.
Overview of Immigrant Entrepreneurship in Houston
In 2016, 131,535 immigrants were self-employed, translating to 13.4% of the immigrant population generating a whopping $3.2 billion in business income. This number is higher than the national average for immigrants at 11.9% and the U.S.-born average of 8.8%
Businesses in Houston Metro Area Owned by Immigrants
In 2016, immigrants owned businesses in the following sectors:
- Professional Services – 22.4%
- General Services – 20.2%
- Construction – 20%
- Healthcare – 7.6%
- Retail Trade – 6.4%
Payment of wages and salaries positively affects employment and the American economy. Immigrants have contributed to this through their entrepreneurial involvement. In 2012, Asian-owned businesses generated $26.9 billion in sales and paid 122,315 employees. Hispanic entrepreneurs generated $22.7 billion during the same period and paid 105,700 employees.
Need Help With Immigration in Houston or Texas?
If you are searching for information about immigration in Houston or Texas, an Immigration Attorney in Texas can help. An immigration lawyer can provide recent and reliable information about immigration enforcement, answer your questions, and assist you with the immigration process.
If you have any questions about your immigration matter, please get in touch with us. We provide a full range of immigration services and are willing and able to assist. Call us to schedule a free consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many People in Houston Are Immigrants?
In 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership reported that the Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area (M.S.A.) inhabited an estimated 1.7 million foreign-born residents, according to the census data gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau. This figure represented 24.1 percent of the Houston metro population in 2021.
What Is the Largest Ethnic Group in Houston?
As per the Texas Demographics, the largest racial/ethnic groups in Houston are Hispanic (44.5%), followed by White (24.1%) and Black (22.1%).
Which Is the Largest Immigrant Group in Texas?
Data sources such as the American Immigration Council report that the top country of origin for immigrants in Texas was Mexico, with 51 percent of immigrants.
