Colombian Americans
Atlanta, Chicago, Greenville, Jacksonville, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Bamberg[2] and Philadelphia. | |
Languages | |
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Colombian Spanish, American English, Indigenous Languages | |
Religion | |
Predominantly: Roman Catholicism Minority: |
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Hispanic and Latino Americans |
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Colombian Americans (
Many communities throughout the United States have significant Colombian American populations. Florida (597,238) has the highest concentration and population of Colombian Americans in the United States, followed by New York (241,685), New Jersey (211,456), California (120,873), and Texas (114,865).[4]
History
The first Colombian immigrants who settled in the United States likely arrived in the 1800s. However, the Colombian presence in the United States would not be known with certainty since the U.S. census included all the South Americans that lived in the United States in the "other Latinos" category.
The first community of Colombian origin was formed after World War I, through the arrival of several hundred professionals (nurses, accountants, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, and bilingual secretaries) that established themselves in New York City; later on, more people were added to the community when Colombian students decided to stay in the U.S. after they finished their studies. Most immigrants settled in Manhattan for many years until the late 1970s when they started to migrate to Jackson Heights, a middle-class neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, that has good housing, schools and churches. The growth of the Colombian population was slow until 1940, when there was an increase in Colombian immigration to New York.
Post-World War II
Most Colombians who arrived after the mid-1960s wanted to stay in the United States for a specific time period. Therefore, the number of
Since the 1980s, many Colombians have immigrated to Miami (especially in its suburbs, such as Doral, Kendall, and Hialeah, and the Weston suburb of Fort Lauderdale). The first Colombians immigrating to the city lived in Little Havana, from where they established commercial relations between Miami and Latin America. The area also attracted wealthy Colombians, who settled there for reasons as diverse as educational, medical or economics.[5]
By the early 1990s, many Colombians left the metropolitan centers and settled in the suburbs to escape crime and high product prices in the city. This trend probably started for the first time in the coastal towns of Connecticut and New York. Colombian communities grew significantly in places such as Stamford, Union City and Englewood, New Jersey, Jacksonville, Florida (which attracted a growing number of people from Miami), and Skokie, Evanston, Arlington Heights and Park Ridge. Despite the migration to other areas, the largest communities remained in New York City, Miami, and their environs.[5]
In 1990 and 1991, 124,745 Colombians legally immigrated to the United States, surpassing immigrants from the rest of Latin America. They were for the first time the most populous group of undocumented immigrants in the United States from Latin America, excluding Mexico. Between 1992 and 1997,
Causes of migration
In Miville's "Colombians in the United States: History, Values, and Challenges," the nature of Colombian migration is described. He writes,"Colombian migration patterns have been distinguished by scholars as three distinct waves involving diverse demographic groups, reasons for migrating, and contextual factors with a mixture of push and pull factors from both the originating and host countries (Madrigal, 2013; Migration Policy Institute, 2015). Immigration to the United States was essentially minor from about 1820 to 1950 when fewer than 7000 Colombians immigrated to the United States. Indeed, the Colombian presence in the United States was not recognized officially until 1960, when the U.S. Census began to specify the country of origin for South Americans (Migration Policy Institute, 2015)." Economic problems and violence have led to an immigration of Colombians to the United States, particularly South Florida (especially in the suburbs of Miami, Florida such as Doral, Kendall, and Hialeah, and the Weston suburb of Fort Lauderdale), Central Florida, New Jersey (North Jersey), Queens County in New York City, Philadelphia, the Washington, D.C., metro area, eastern Long Island, and an expanding community in California, Texas and Georgia, mainly in the Los Angeles, Houston and Atlanta areas.[5]
First Wave: After World War I, many Colombians immigrated to the United States in order to complete their education there, studying at the universities of the country. Most of them settled in New York. Many Colombians immigrated to the United States in order to complete their education, studying in universities across the country (Madrigal, 2013; Sassen-Koob, 1989). After the civil war in 1948 and increased poverty in Colombia, many Colombians also immigrated to the United States during the 1950s. In the 1960s, the economic crisis prompted the immigration of many Colombians to the United States, obtaining U.S. citizenship Between 1960 and 1977.[5]
Second Wave (1965–1989): "The passage of several U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Act's amendments in 1965 allowed for more Colombians to migrate to the United States (Madrigal, 2013)"
Third Wave (1990–2008): "The 1980s and 1990s brought the rise in cocaine trafficking, along with the influence of the drug cartels and paramilitary groups (Carvajal, 2017; Migration Policy Institute, 2015). From the 1990s, along with the ensuing turmoil over a political assassination in 1989, the number of Colombians admitted to the United States tripled, representing the largest numbers of immigrants from a South American country (Carvajal, 2017; Migration Policy Institute, 2015)" Since the 1980s, many Colombians fled their urban cities to migrate to suburban areas in states like New Jersey and Connecticut, as their socioeconomic status improved. The conflict escalation between terrorists, paramilitaries, and narcos between 1992 and 1997 also boosted Colombian emigration during this period. As was discussed earlier, about 75,000 Colombians immigrated at that time to the United States, concentrating mostly in the state of California.[5]
Demographics
As of the 2000 Census, 278,600 Colombians were living in the New York metro area[6] and 213,200 Colombians were living in the Miami metropolitan area. The largest Colombian community lives in the South Florida area (Doral, Kendall, Weston, and Country Club) and Jackson Heights in Queens County, New York City.[5]
In
In 2021, Pew Research Center found that, as far as gender demographics are concerned, women in the United States have made up about 55.7% of Colombian migrants, while men have made up about 44.3% of the Colombian migrant population. [8]
Ancestry
Ethnically, Colombian Americans are a diverse population including Colombians of European ancestry (mainly Spanish) ancestry), Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-European), Afro-Colombians, and Colombians of Indigenous ancestry. In addition, many Colombians of Middle Eastern descent, notably Lebanese Colombians, also compose the Colombian diaspora.
Until 1960, most Colombians immigrating to the United States were white or mestizos. However, between this year and 1977, a period in which more than 186,000 Colombians immigrated to the United States, are becoming more ethnically diverse, representing the ethnic diversity of the population of Colombia. So today, most Colombians consist of white, mestizo, indigenous, and Afro-Colombian ancestry.[5]
U.S. states with the largest Colombian-American populations
State/Territory | Colombian American Population (2024 estimate)[9] |
Percentage |
---|---|---|
Alabama | 6,286 | 0.0% |
Alaska | 1,406 | 0.1% |
Arizona | 14,229 | 0.2% |
Arkansas | 1,117 | 0.0% |
California | 120,873 | 0.3% |
Colorado | 18,837 | 0.3% |
Connecticut | 56,219 | 1.6% |
Delaware | 2,117 | 0.1% |
District of Columbia | 4,772 | 0.7% |
Florida | 597,238 | 2.7% |
Georgia | 45,218 | 0.4% |
Hawaii | 2,450 | 0.1% |
Idaho | 2,656 | 0.1% |
Illinois | 36,888 | 0.3% |
Indiana | 6,809 | 0.0% |
Iowa | 2,826 | 0.1% |
Kansas | 4,423 | 0.1% |
Kentucky | 2,663 | 0.0% |
Louisiana | 5,038 | 0.1% |
Maine | 1,309 | 0.0% |
Maryland | 17,202 | 0.2% |
Massachusetts | 69,774 | 1.0% |
Michigan | 9,219 | 0.0% |
Minnesota | 6,863 | 0.1% |
Mississippi | 1,831 | 0.0% |
Missouri | 4,809 | 0.1% |
Montana | 541 | 0.0% |
Nebraska | 1,604 | 0.1% |
Nevada | 13,391 | 0.4% |
New Hampshire | 8,684 | 0.6% |
New Jersey | 211,456 | 2.3% |
New Mexico | 4,293 | 0.1% |
New York | 241,685 | 1.2% |
North Carolina | 33,132 | 0.3% |
North Dakota | 715 | 0.1% |
Ohio | 8,805 | 0.0% |
Oklahoma | 3,762 | 0.1% |
Oregon | 4,878 | 0.1% |
Pennsylvania | 31,355 | 0.2% |
Rhode Island | 23,659 | 2.2% |
South Carolina | 17,582 | 0.2% |
South Dakota | 379 | 0.0% |
Tennessee | 8,943 | 0.1% |
Texas | 114,865 | 0.3% |
Utah | 9,118 | 0.2% |
Vermont | 656 | 0.1% |
Virginia | 24,690 | 0.3% |
Washington | 12,387 | 0.1% |
West Virginia | 768 | 0.0% |
Wisconsin | 5,683 | 0.0% |
Wyoming | 309 | 0.0% |
US (2024) | 2,659,284 | 0.5% |
U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest Colombian populations
The largest populations of Colombians are situated in the following metropolitan areas (Source: 2024 estimate):[10]
- New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA-CT MSA – 455,729
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL MSA – 406,293
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL MSA – 106,441
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA MSA – 81,247
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro Area – 70,998
- Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX MSA – 62,227
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA – 52,538
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA – 43,376
- Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL-IN-WI MSA- 34,297
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA MSA– 34,014
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA - 33,373
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX-OK - 31,624
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA MSA - 30,066
U.S. communities with the most residents born in Colombia
The top 25 U.S. communities with the most residents born in Colombia are (2010):[11]
- Victory Gardens, New Jersey 17.2%
- Dover, New Jersey 12.5%
- Country Club, Florida 10.4%
- Doral, Florida 10.3%
- Ojus, Florida 9.8%
- The Hammocks, Florida 9.7%
- Katonah, New York 9.2%
- Weston, Florida 9.0%
- Kendall West, Florida 8.7%
- Broadview-Pompano Park, Florida 8.6%
Top counties by number of Colombian-Born immigrants according to estimates from the American Community Survey for 2017-2021 Estimates[12]
1) Miami-Dade County, Florida – 98,400
2) Broward County, Florida – 63,600
3) Queens Borough, New York – 51,400
4) Harris County, Texas – 25,100
5) Palm Beach County, Florida – 24,500
6) Orange County, Florida – 24,500
7) Los Angeles County, California – 17,400
8) Bergen County, New Jersey – 16,800
9) Union County, New Jersey – 16,500
10) Hillsborough County, Florida – 16,000
Culture
Religion
Colombian Americans, based on various studies and a survey, about 90% of the population adheres to
Language
A majority (82%) of Colombian Americans ages five and older speak English proficiently. The other 18% who are Colombian natives report speaking English less than very well, compared with 32% of all Latinos.
In addition, 83% of Colombians ages five and older speak Spanish at home.
Music and pastimes
Musical styles that are enjoyed by Colombian Americans include Vallenato and Cumbia.
The main pastime of Colombians in the United States is
Food and drink
Colombian food is varied due to the several distinct regions of Colombia. Popular dishes include bandeja paisa, sancocho (chicken or fish soup with plantain), empanadas (meat-filled turnovers), pandebono and pan de queso (types of cheese-bread), and arepas (corncake similar to a tortilla). Colombian food is popular and well known in South Florida and in Queens County. Some of the most common ingredients are: cereals such as rice and corn; tubers such as potato and cassava; assorted legumes; meats, including beef, chicken, pork and goat; fish; and seafood.[16][17]
Among the most representative appetizers and soups are
Representative desserts are
Beverages
Colombian coffee is the world's most popular coffee and is renowned for its high quality and distinct flavor. Though much of the world's quality coffee beans come from Colombia, there are many Colombian Americans that drink instant coffee rather than brewed. It is popularly consumed as a "tinto", meaning black with sugar or panela on the side, or as café con leche, which is a preparation of half coffee and half heated milk.
Some other representative beverages are
Aguardiente is popular alcoholic drink derived from sugarcane and flavored with anise. It is widely consumed at Colombian parties, and ranges in potency from 20% to 40%. Aguardiente is a variation of the Spanish alcoholic drink.
Colombian cuisine also features a wide variety of tropical
Socioeconomics
The annual personal income for Colombian Americans is $25,000, a figure higher than many other Hispanic groups at $21,900, but lower than that of the U.S. population at $30,000.[22]
The rate of Colombian Americans homeownership is (45%) but lower than the 64% rate for the U.S. population as a whole. This takes into account the younger average Colombian American (Colombino) population.[22]
Colombian Americans who live in poverty, 16%, is the same as the rate for the general U.S. population and lower than the rate for Hispanic overall at 25%.[22]
Education
33% of Colombian Americans ages 25 and older—compared with 14% of all U.S. Hispanics and 30% among the entire U.S. population—have obtained at least a bachelor's degree.[22]
54% of U.S.-born Colombian Americans have earned a bachelor's degree or higher, as compared to 30% of foreign-born Colombians.[22]
Notable people
Professional sports
- NHL, from 1999 to 2016.
- Kiko Alonso – linebacker
- Christian Gonzalez - Cornerback selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, currently plays for the New England Patriots
- United States
- ASL teams, including a brief stint with the United States national teamin the early 1990s.
- Diego Chará – current player for the Portland Timbers.
- Luis Carlos Perea – Former player; son of Luis Alberto Perea and was named one of the 100 most prominent Latinos in Miami.
- Juan Agudelo – Currently plays for New England Revolution in Major League Soccer and for the United States national team.
- Andrés Perea – Currently plays for Orlando City in Major league soccer; son of Nixon Perea.
- Yimmi Chará – Current player for the Portland Timbers.
- Alejandro Bedoya – Currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer and for the United States national team.
- Chicago Fire in MLS.
- Carlos Llamosa – Played in the MLS and for U.S. at 2002 FIFA World Cup, currently retired
- Diego Gutiérrez - Played entire career in two MLS clubs, earning one cap with the United States in 2001.
- George Hincapie – Tour de France competitor
- Red Velvet – Currently wrestling at AEW.
See also
- Colombians
- German Colombian
- Indigenous peoples of Colombia
- Indigenous peoples of America
- Wayuu people
- American Colombians
- Italian Colombian
- Lebanese Colombians
- Jewish Colombians
- White Colombians
- Spanish Americans
- Afro-Colombians
- Mestizo
- White Hispanic and Latino Americans
- White Latin Americans
- Black Hispanic and Latino Americans
- Afro-Latin Americans
- Demographics of Colombia
- Colombia–United States relations
References
- ^ "Colombian Immigrants in the United States". Migration Policy Institute. July 11, 2023. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
- ISBN 9780874178180.
- ^ Pamela Sturner, "Colombian Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2014), pp. 519-530.
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Colombian Americans - History, Immigration, Acculturation and Assimilation, Holidays, Dances and songs, Health issues". Everyculture.com. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
- ^ "Colombians in New York".
- ^ "How Jackson Heights Earned the Nickname 'Little Colombia'". www.ny1.com.
- ^ Haner, Joanne; Lopez, Mark Hugo. "8 facts about recent Latino immigrants to the U.S." Pew Research Center. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ "Top 101 cities with the most residents born in Colombia (population 500+)". city-data.com. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
- ^ "U.S. Immigrant Population by State and County". migrationpolicy.org. February 4, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ISBN 978-958-761-465-7. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link - ^ Beltrán Cely; William Mauricio. "Descripción cuantitativa de la pluralización religiosa en Colombia" (PDF). Universitas humanística 73 (2012): 201–238. – bdigital.unal.edu.co. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 29, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Religion in Latin America, Widespread Change in a Historically Catholic Region". pewforum.org. Pew Research Center. November 13, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Paseo de olla. Recetas de las cocinas regionales de Colombia - Biblioteca básica de cocinas tradicionales de Colombia" (PDF). Mincultura.gov.co (in Spanish). Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "Food presentation" (PDF). Mincultura.gov.co (in Spanish). Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Gran libro de la cocina colombiana - Biblioteca básica de cocinas tradicionales de Colombia" (PDF). Mincultura.gov.co (in Spanish). Retrieved July 6, 2016.
- ^ "Hábitos de los consumidores en la tendencia saludable" (in Spanish). nielsen.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- ^ "Colombian Food; A List of Traditional and Modern Colombian Recipes". Southamericanfood.about.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
- ^ Singh, Gitanjali M., et al. "Global, regional, and national consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices, and milk: a systematic assessment of beverage intake in 187 countries." PLoS ONE 10.8 (2015): e0124845.
- ^ a b c d e "Hispanics of Colombian Origin in the United States, 2013". Pewhispanic.org. September 15, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
Further reading
- Dockterman, Daniel. “Hispanics of Colombian Origin in the United States.” (Pew Research Center, May 26, 2011) online
- Sturner, Pamela. "Colombian Americans." Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America, edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2014), pp. 519–530. online