Immigration

America’s population growth is fueled in part by ongoing immigration. This begins gradually, then picks up some momentum in the 1830’s.

4.0 Number of U.S. Immigrant: 1820-1839

But the picture changes dramatically between 1845 and 1854, driven by two events.

The first occurs in Ireland, a poor nation of 8.5 million citizens whose main source of protein comes from consumption of potatoes. The crop, however, is devastated by blight beginning in 1845 and lasting for a decade. During that time some one million die of malnutrition and another million flee from starvation as immigrants to America.

The second upheaval occurs in central Europe, mainly Germany and Hungary, as movements to overthrow traditional monarchies are beaten back with bloodshed. The result is another flood of immigrants fleeing from political reprisal to safety in the U.S.

4.1 Number of U.S. Immigrant: 1840-59

Ireland accounts for the largest number of immigrants and most encounter resistance when they arrive. They are Catholics in a Protestant land and, because they are poor, many are willing to work for minimum wages, a threat to the current labor market. The German immigrants fare better and are more readily assimilated into their own ethnic communities.

4.2 Prior Homelands of U.S. Immigrants (000)

Immigrants tend to initially settle in cities around the Northeast ports of entry, especially New York and Philadelphia. But over time many head west to river cities like Cincinnati, Chicago, Milwaukee and even New Orleans.

4.3 Cities With Largest Immigrant Population

By 1860, just under half of all immigrants remain in the Northeast.

4.4 Where Foreign Born Population Lives

Regardless of where they settle, immigrants on average remain a 17-19% minority of the local population

4.5% of Total Population That Are Immigrants