When it comes to attracting new residents, NYC wins big, but it’s complicated
Photo via WNYC/Flickr
A new data analysis effort from the Washington Post titled “The top 10 places people are moving, and how their choices differ by race” offers some interesting insights into where people are ending up when they come from…elsewhere. Though it’s not the article’s intent, the first thing we notice is that New York City is number one in attracting sheer masses, huddled and otherwise. And the biggest comparable block of hopeful humanity is coming “from abroad.” The attraction factor gets more complex, though, when we adjust for size, looking at the percentage of the overall population the newcomers comprise. In that case, metro areas like Colorado Springs and San Jose move to the top. And what about race? Even more complicated.
Says the Post, “These overall numbers mask vast variations within racial and cultural groups. Among African Americans, notably, the most popular destination isn’t the New York area–it’s Atlanta.” and “White people love Colorado.” Which should surprise no one. We also find out that nearly 1 in every 10 Asians who moved during the studied time period ended up in NYC, and that 3.3 percent of U.S. residents who identify as Asian moved from other countries during that time (see “from abroad”).
But the point the discussion heads toward is that cities (mostly smaller ones) that have not been traditionally diverse are becoming substantially more so. Those areas are attracting new ethnic groups, which is uniquely impactful given their size: “Millions of moves to hundreds of places are literally changing the faces of midsize American metro areas.”
Though it’s interesting to see where people are moving to, it would be even more interesting to find out where those populations are moving from. Traditionally less diverse Boise, Idaho is becoming more diverse, but is Philadelphia–or New York City–becoming less so? We’re anxiously awaiting the follow-up.
[Via Washington Post]
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