New Americans in Columbus
Columbus is proud to be a
welcoming city for all. As the 14th largest city in the United States, Columbus
is home to more than 155,000 residents who were born in nations including Bhutan,
Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, and Mexico, among others. According to the
2018-2019 Global Report from the Columbus Council on World Affairs, roughly 8%
of the City’s total population is foreign born.
The story of immigration is not
a new one for our city; Columbus has long been a destination for those arriving
in our nation. This is seen in historic neighborhoods like German Village,
Italian Village, and Hungarian Village. More recently, Columbus has
become home to a growing number of refugees and immigrants from different parts
of the world. According to the Impact of Refugees in Central Ohio 2015 Report,
more than 16,000 refugees have been resettled in the Columbus area from 1983 -
2015. In addition, secondary resettlement, the process by which a refugee
relocates from the area where they initially settled, has grown. This includes
individuals from Somalia, Bhutan and Nepal.
Today, immigrants from Mexico,
Central America, South America, Asia and Africa are helping to shape the
culture of our neighborhoods. This is seen in the many new restaurants, small
businesses, shopping centers, and festivals that have become a part of everyday
life in Columbus.
The Department of Neighborhoods
is focused on helping to empower New Americans and reduce disparities in our
communities through efforts like the New American Leadership Academy, providing interpretation and translation services, and serving as an advocate for a fair and equal Columbus.