Hispanic Immigrant Clusters and the Local Labor Market: Preliminary Evidence from North Carolina

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Selima Sultana, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Over the past decade the Hispanic population has been the fastest growing race/ethnic group in the United States. North Carolina is one state that has experienced a Hispanic population boom. However, this growth is not evenly distributed throughout the state. Some counties have experienced large increases in the number of Hispanics, while Hispanics are almost nonexistent in other counties. This research questions the driving forces that determine the location and growth mechanisms of Hispanic population clusters in the state. North Carolina has a long history of providing agricultural and manufacturing jobs and has experienced a recent construction boom. Such low-skill, low-wage jobs typically attract unskilled workers. This paper hypothesizes a correlation between the percentage of manufacturing, construction, and agricultural jobs available in selected counties and the location of Hispanic migrant enclaves in the state. Our research shows that there is a strong relationship between Hispanic population and worker clusters and agricultural jobs, and to a lesser extent with manufacturing jobs. The correlation between construction jobs and Hispanic population is weaker than that expected.

Additional Information

Publication
Language: English
Date: 2005
Keywords
Hispanic Population, North Carolina, Labor Market, Agriculture Jobs, Manufacturing Jobs

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