Immigration in Virginia

in Virginia, immigration from other countries offset net loss from domestic migration in 2010-2020
Source: Old Dominion University, 2021 State of the Commonwealth Report (p.46)

The first people to arrive in Virginia were immigrants. About 15-20,000 years ago, people who had moved from Asia across Beringea into North America reached the East Coast of North America. Perhaps 750 generations later, those Paleo-Indians had transformed into the Native Americans that Spanish priests met when they arrived in Virginia in 1570, and were the indigenous "natives" that English settlers encountered at Jamestown in 1607.

The mass migration of Europeans and the forced migration of Africans into Virginia has created today's current population. In 2001, historian Christopher Tomlins refined early estimates of the number of immigrants to North America during the colonial period:¹

...through 1780, current estimates suggest a total European migration of between 470,000 and 515,000.

Of these some 54,500 were involuntary migrants (convicts or prisoners), the vast majority of whom entered North America during the 18th century. Of the remaining voluntary migrants, the analysis undertaken in this essay suggests some 48% were committed to an initial period of servitude by indenture or other arrangement. This status was substantially more common during the 17th century, when it described on average 60-65% of voluntary migrants, than the 18th century, when it described on average 40%.

In addition, between 285,000 and 310,000 enslaved Africans entered the mainland colonies, the vast majority during the century after 1680.

In the colonial era and through the 1800's, Virginians determined which immigrants would qualify as a naturalized citizen. In the 1900's, the Federal government assumed that responsibility.

Today, international immigration is key to the continued expansion of Virginia's population. In 2010-2020, more residents left Virginia than were replaced by people moving to Virginia from other states. The number of immigrants settling in Virginia from other countries offset that population loss. The net total of international immigrants settling in Virginia was 80% of the natural increase from more people being born than dying over that decade:²

The U.S. Census breaks population change into two broad components: the natural increase in the population and net migration. The natural increase in the population is equal to births minus deaths. Net migration, on the other hand, consists of domestic migration and international migration. For example, if more people move into a metro area from overseas countries than depart the metro area for overseas destinations, then net international migration is positive (and vice versa). Turning first to the Commonwealth, the natural increase in the population from 2010 to 2020 was positive, indicating more Virginians were born than died during this period. Even though net domestic migration was negative, it was more than compensated by net positive international migration.

Foreign Born Population in Arlington County, 2009-2013
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Uneven Opportunities: Healthy Places Index Static Maps

Lack of English Proficiency in Loudoun County, 2009-2013
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Uneven Opportunities: Healthy Places Index Static Maps

Lack of English Proficiency in Fairfax County and Fairfax City, 2009-2013
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Uneven Opportunities: Healthy Places Index Static Maps

Foreign Born Population in Fairfax County, 2009-2013
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Uneven Opportunities: Healthy Places Index Static Maps

Foreign Born Population in Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William County, 2009-2013
Source: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Uneven Opportunities: Healthy Places Index Static Maps

Where Did We Come From?

Links

• American Immigration Council
• Immigrants in Virginia
• America's Great Migrations Projec
• Virginia Migration History 1850-2018
• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
• Uneven Opportunities: How Conditions for Wellness Vary Across the Metropolitan Washington Region (October 26, 2018)
• UVA Today
• New Exhibit Uncovers the History of Filipino Nurses in Virginia (July 2, 2019)

References