Why didn't Baltimore and Washington receive the same migrants that the other northeastern cities got? (real estate, neighborhoods)
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Every time I go to these places, I don't see that much ethnic blacks and whites, including West Indians, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Irish, Italians, etc. Just regular blacks and whites. Unlike Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, Springfield, Providence and Boston. Even though the Northeastern Megalopolis runs from Boston to Washington and all of the cities are economically tied to each other. Plus each ancestry group is usually 0 to 5 percent in Baltimore and Washington. Is there a reason for this?
Every time I go to these places, I don't see that much ethnic blacks and whites, including West Indians, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Irish, Italians, etc. Just regular blacks and whites. Unlike Wilmington, Philadelphia, New York, Hartford, Springfield, Providence and Boston. Even though the Northeastern Megalopolis runs from Boston to Washington and all of the cities are economically tied to each other. Plus each ancestry group is usually 0 to 5 percent in Baltimore and Washington. Is there a reason for this?
Baltimore does have traditionally ethnic enclaves and neighborhoods, even if they are not as defining for the city as a whole. Baltimore was considered an important port of entry. DC, not so much. But as you said the "megalopolis" running from Boston to the DC area, is not foundationally cultural in character - it is economic. Today as part of the Northeast, I think it's also fair to say that DC and Baltimore are the upper tip of what is the Southern Mid-Atlantic. They did not begin as Northeastern cities, and if you spend enough time in either, you'll see that they have a very unique cultural dynamic.
Immigrants go where their communities are - simple.
The Irish went to Boston and NY and Philly because there was already an irish community there same for the Italians and the Jews.
Puerto Ricans and Dominicans and West Indians went (and still go) to NY because there is already a community.
People have a tendency to be near their own kind it's instinctual. It's the same reason why a Cuban is more inclined to go to Miami or Northern NJ than St. Louis, or why gay people congregate in gay villages, it's comfortable to be around people like yourself
And although DC/Baltimore might have northern characteristics now...100 + years ago during the time when most Euro immigrants came to America these cities were culturally southern and therefore probably less tolerant of non-WASPs.
However nowadays there is definitely a steady flow of Asian (especially Korean) and African immigrants to the DC area
Baltimore's case is that it does have some ethnic white communities and there has been a rising PR/Dom rep. population in the southeastern part of the city. Baltimore had the heavy industry needed to still attract ethnic whites, but not in the way NYC, Boston, and Philly did. Ethnic whites in Baltimore had fierce competition from WASP whites from the midwest and the mountains.
DC's case is that it did have Italian and Irish neighborhoods early in the 20th century but they either assimilated with the rest of the white population or went back up north.
Both Baltimore and DC have a lot of Jews and both have been Catholic strongholds from the get go.
Immigrants go where their communities are - simple.
The Irish went to Boston and NY and Philly because there was already an irish community there same for the Italians and the Jews.
Puerto Ricans and Dominicans and West Indians went (and still go) to NY because there is already a community.
People have a tendency to be near their own kind it's instinctual. It's the same reason why a Cuban is more inclined to go to Miami or Northern NJ than St. Louis, or why gay people congregate in gay villages, it's comfortable to be around people like yourself
And although DC/Baltimore might have northern characteristics now...100 + years ago during the time when most Euro immigrants came to America these cities were culturally southern and therefore probably less tolerant of non-WASPs.
However nowadays there is definitely a steady flow of Asian (especially Korean) and African immigrants to the DC area
Yes.... the African, Asian, and Latino populations in the DC area are booming at very high rates. In the future the cultural and political landscapes in the DC area could change because of this. There are suburbs that are near 100% Latino or Asian in metropolitan DC.
Yes.... the African, Asian, and Latino populations in the DC area are booming at very high rates. In the future the cultural and political landscapes in the DC area could change because of this. There are suburbs that are near 100% Latino or Asian in metropolitan DC.
I've seen that. It's a unique thing because in most other parts of America immigrant communities start off in the inner city and then people move out to the suburbs in the next generations, but in DC it seems that immigrants. (Especially ones that aren't rich finance/politico types) skip the city and head straight for Arlington or Montgomery County...is that because unlike other cities that attract immigrants, DC never had the blue collar work that attracts foreigners looking for economic opportunities, it seems like DC has ways been pretty solid in the fact that most of the jobs are in government or business whereas in Boston NY Philly Chicago Florida Texas CA there were/is diverse opportunities . That's a question btw, I'm curious if I'm right or just making assumptions.
Baltimore was the 2nd largest point of entry for immigrants in the 1800s- early 1900. Only Ellis Island was larger.
The difference is in the final destinations and backgrounds of the migrants.
Eastern/Southern Europeans/Jews and the Irish came to Ellis Island more often. Also more often they (and their descendants) stayed in the area..
Immigrants coming to Baltimore were likely to be German or Scandinavian farmers who got off the boat and got on a train headed to Nebraska or Illinois or South Dakota.
I've seen that. It's a unique thing because in most other parts of America immigrant communities start off in the inner city and then people move out to the suburbs in the next generations, but in DC it seems that immigrants. (Especially ones that aren't rich finance/politico types) skip the city and head straight for Arlington or Montgomery County...is that because unlike other cities that attract immigrants, DC never had the blue collar work that attracts foreigners looking for economic opportunities, it seems like DC has ways been pretty solid in the fact that most of the jobs are in government or business whereas in Boston NY Philly Chicago Florida Texas CA there were/is diverse opportunities . That's a question btw, I'm curious if I'm right or just making assumptions.
A big reason why most immigrants skip DC is because it's too expensive and the public schools are still subpar. Columbia Heights and Mt. Pleasant both have historically high Spanish populations and it's very noticeable but rising real estate prices are pushing them out to Montgomery County or Hyattsville/Langley Park in MD and further along the bus routes that go to the northern part of the city. Immigrants that come to the DC area normally avoid areas that are too black even if the real estate is cheap. Yes there are a few exceptions to this but generally you won't see a Salvadorian family living in Congress Heights or Hillcrest.
So for immigrants skipping the city its mostly due to real estate prices, subpar schools, and racism.
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