Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are a Growing Economic Force
in Kentucky and West Virginia
July 2, 2010
Washington D.C. – The Immigration Policy Center has compiled research which shows that immigrants, Latinos, and Asians are important contributors to the economy, labor force, and tax base in both Kentucky and West Virginia. Immigrants and their children in particular are a growing economic force as consumers, taxpayers, and entrepreneurs.With the nation working towards economic recovery, Latinos, Asians, and immigrants will continue to play a key role in shaping the economic and political future of the Bluegrass and Mountain States.
Highlights from Kentucky include:
- Immigrants made up 2.8% of Kentucky’s population (or 119,503 people) in 2008.
- The purchasing power of Latinos totaled $2.1 billion and Asian buying power totaled nearly $1.8 billion in Kentucky in 2009.
- If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from Kentucky, the state could lose $1.7 billion in economic activity and $756.8 million in gross state product.
Highlights from West Virginia include:
- Immigrants made up 1.3% of West Virginia’s population (or 23,273 people) in 2008.
- The purchasing power of Latinos totaled $549.6 million and Asian buying power totaled $567.7 million in West Virginia in 2009.
- If all unauthorized immigrants were removed from West Virginia, the state could lose $26.6 million in economic activity and $11.8 million in gross state product.
There is no denying the contributions immigrants, Latinos, and Asians make in Kentucky and West Virginia and the important role they will play in the states’ economic futures. For more data on their contributions to the Bluegrass and Mountain States, view the IPC fact sheets in their entirety:
- New Americans in the Bluegrass State (Kentucky)
- New Americans in the Mountain State (West Virginia)
Read more about immigrant contributions in other states:
- New Americans in the Yellowhammer State (Alabama)
- New Americans in the Last Frontier (Alaska)
- New Americans in the Grand Canyon State (Arizona)
- New Americans in the Natural State (Arkansas)
- New Americans in the Golden State (California)
- New Americans in the Centennial State (Colorado)
- New Americans in the Constitution State (Connecticut)
- New Americans in the Sunshine State (Florida)
- New Americans in the Peach State (Georgia)
- New Americans in the Gem State (Idaho)
- New Americans in the Hawkeye State (Iowa)
- New Americans in the Prairie State (Illinois)
- New Americans in the Hoosier State (Indiana)
- New Americans in the Sunflower State (Kansas)
- New Americans in the Pelican State (Louisiana)
- New Americans in the Pine Tree State (Maine)
- New Americans in the Old Line State (Maryland)
- New Americans in the Great Lakes State (Michigan)
- New Americans in the North Star State (Minnesota)
- New Americans in the Magnolia State (Mississippi)
- New Americans in the Show Me State (Missouri)
- New Americans in the Treasure State (Montana)
- New Americans in the Cornhusker State (Nebraska)
- New Americans in the Silver State (Nevada)
- New Americans in the Granite State (New Hampshire)
- New Americans in the Land of Enchantment (New Mexico)
- New Americans in the Garden State (New Jersey)
- New Americans in the Empire State (New York)
- New Americans in the Tar Heel State (North Carolina)
- New Americans in the Buckeye State (Ohio)
- New Americans in the Sooner State (Oklahoma)
- New Americans in the Beaver State (Oregon)
- New Americans in the Keystone State (Pennsylvania)
- New Americans in the Ocean State (Rhode Island)
- New Americans in the Palmetto State (South Carolina)
- New Americans in the Volunteer State (Tennessee)
- New Americans in the Lone Star State (Texas)
- New Americans in the Beehive State (Utah)
- New Americans in the Green Mountain State (Vermont)
- New Americans in the Old Dominion State (Virginia)
- New Americans in the Evergreen State (Washington)
- New Americans in the Badger State (Wisconsin)