Immigration has had a remarkable effect on the culture of Northern Virginia. More than half of the immigrants in Virginia have been naturalized in the United States, with foreign-born citizens who have lived in the US for at least five years submitting an application. Currently, there are more than a million immigrants in Virginia, representing 12.5% of the state's total population, slightly below the national average of 13.7%. Immigrants to Virginia come from all over the world, with no single group dominating on its own.
In terms of continent of birth, rather than country of birth, Asia is the largest group at 43%. Most immigrants who come to the state choose to live in Northern Virginia, with more than two-thirds of the state's immigrant population living in this region and representing about 27% of its total population. Immigrants in Virginia are increasingly fluent in English (meaning they speak English very well or only speak English), and 61% of immigrants over 5 who live in Virginia are fluent in English. This is much higher than the national average, with immigrants ranking eighth among all states for fluency.
In addition, Virginia immigrants are relatively young, well-educated, and more likely to participate in the labor force. Immigrants in Virginia work in a wide range of industries across the state. They are more likely to work in professional, scientific, and management jobs, as well as construction and arts, entertainment, lodging, and food services related to tourism. Compared to the average employment of all foreign-born workers in the United States, immigrant workers from Virginia are much more likely than their domestic immigrant peers to work in generally highly-skilled, high-wage sectors. Immigrant households also tend to be slightly larger than those in the U. S., with an average of 1.71 workers per household compared to just 1.26 in the U.
S. Immigrant households also tend to have two members in the workforce due to their higher labor force participation rates than the U. UU. Immigrants also create jobs directly when they start new businesses and hire employees, and indirectly when they expand the economy as consumers and investors. Economists are in complete agreement about the role that immigrants play in economic growth, more than is commonly recognized. To sum up, immigration has had a positive impact on Northern Virginia's culture and economy.
Immigrants are relatively young, well-educated, fluent in English, and more likely to participate in the labor force. They work in a wide range of industries across the state and create jobs directly when they start new businesses and hire employees. Immigrant households also tend to be slightly larger than those in the U. S.
