Hmong Population Research Project The Economic Status of the Hmong: Evidence from the 1990 U.S. Census Faculty Forum Presentation 14 November 2001

Hmong Population Research Project Supported by the UWEC Office of University Research: Faculty/Student Research Collaboration grants TRIP grant Summer Extramural Grant Development Program

Hmong Population Research Project Wayne Carroll, Economics Tua Lor Elina Camane

Hmong Population Research Project

“The New Immigrants” Immigrants and refugees from countries with living standards very different from the U.S. have made up a larger share of immigration in recent decades. Assimilation is more difficult for these “New Immigrants” than for immigrants from Europe and many other regions. Hmong immigrants epitomize the “New Immigrants.”

U.S. Census Data on the Hmong 1980 – According to the Census Bureau, the nation’s Hmong population was 5, – Detailed information on the Hmong are available – Data on Hmong populations have been released. Other detailed information will be released next fall.

Three Census sources 100% counts (“short form”) – provide the most accurate data on population, race, household structure, and homes. Tabulations from the “long form” – detailed tables based on a one-sixth sample of the population. Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) – detailed data from the “long form” at the individual level, providing a 5% sample of the population.

The 1990 Census question on “race”:

Hmong Population Growth

1990 U.S. Hmong population: 90,082

Hmong Population Growth 1990 U.S. Hmong population: 90, U.S. Hmong population: 169,428

Population Growth by State % change California46,89265,09539% Minnesota16,83341,800148% Wisconsin16,37333,791106% North Carolina7087,093902% Michigan2,2575,383139% Colorado1,2023,000150% Oregon4382,101380% Georgia3201,468359% Washington7411,29475% Massachusetts2481,127354% U.S. Total90,082169,42888%

Population Growth by State California46,89265,095 Minnesota16,83341,800 Wisconsin16,37333,791 North Carolina7087,093 Michigan2,2575,383 Colorado1,2023,000 Oregon4382,101 Georgia3201,468 Washington7411,294 Massachusetts2481,127 U.S. Total90,082169,428

A Tale of a Few Cities Fresno, CA18,32122,456 Twin Cities16,43540,606 Merced, CA6,4586,148 Sacramento, CA5,67316,261 Stockton, CA4,6285,653 Milwaukee metro3,4048,078 Appleton metro2,1574,741 Wausau1,9684,453 La Crosse1,9332,282 Eau Claire1,6011,920 Green Bay1,4102,957

Economic Status Economic status: Income Labor force participation Employment status Occupation depends on: Education English fluency Years in U.S. Age? Gender?

Educational attainment In 1990 about 50% of Hmong adults reported that they had no education. About 31% of Hmong adults reported in 1990 that they had at least a high-school education, compared with 75% in the general population.

English language skills A household is “linguistically isolated” if no adult in the household speaks English “very well.” In 1990 almost 64% of Hmong households were linguistically isolated.

Year of entry to the U.S. (based on the 1990 Census) Before % % % % % %

Economic Status Economic status: Income Labor force participation Employment status Occupation depends on: Education English fluency Years in U.S. Age? Gender?

Median household income in 1989 HmongGeneral population California$15,978$35,798 Minnesota$11,934$30,909 Wisconsin$10,767$29,442

Income distribution in 1989: Hmong vs. general population

Sources of income in 1989

Determinants of earnings Young workers (age<40) (Mean earnings = $9,348) Age: One year adds $652*** Year of entry: one year adds $169* Education: one year adds $234*** Gender and language not significant

Determinants of earnings Young workers (age<40) (Mean earnings = $9,348) Age: One year adds $652*** Year of entry: One year adds $169* Education: One year adds $234*** Gender and language not significant. Old workers (age>40) (Mean earnings = $11,741) Year of entry: One year adds $430* Gender: Men earn $3,305*** more than women on average. Age, education, and language are not significant.

Labor force participation rates in 1990

Determinants of labor force participation The likelihood that a Hmong adult was in the labor force in 1990 was higher for: men than women those who had been in the U.S. longer those who had more education those who spoke English well

Determinants of labor force participation In labor forceNot in labor force Gender67% are men44% are men Average year of entry to U.S Average years of schooling Speak English well 70%38%

Employment status in 1990 The unemployment rate equals the percentage of the labor force who are unemployed. Unemployment rate among Hmong men: 20% Unemployment rate among Hmong women: 22% Unemployment rate for general population: 5.4%

Determinants of employment status The probability of being unemployed was smaller if a worker had been in the U.S. longer. Age, gender, educational attainment, and English fluency were not significant.

Most common occupations in 1990 Men: 9% Cleaning and building service occupations 8% Machine operators and tenders 7% Fabricators, assemblers, hand working 4% Cooks 4% Other precision production 3% Writers, artists, entertainers, athletes 3% Other food service

Most common occupations in 1990 Men: 9% Cleaning and building service occupations 8% Machine operators and tenders 7% Fabricators, assemblers, hand working 4% Cooks 4% Other precision production 3% Writers, artists, entertainers, athletes 3% Other food service Women: 10% Fabricators, assemblers, hand working occupations 9% Textile, apparel, and furnishings machine operators 8% Administrative support positions 6% Other precision production 5% Cooks 5% Cashiers 5% Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants

Future research Detailed economic and demographic data from the 2000 Census will be released next year, making possible: Comparisons of data from 1990 and Analysis of the economic progress and assimilation of the Hmong in the U.S. during the last ten years.

Expected findings in 2000 Census data Rapid growth among younger Hmong adults in: Income Labor force participation Employment Educational attainment Movement into higher-paying occupations Hmong still lagging significantly behind the general population in economic status