Sociology
Ethnic Enclaves and Immigrant Economic Mobility
Quick fact
Contrary to the popular belief that enclaves impede assimilation, a city like Miami’s Cuban enclave has produced some of the highest rates of Hispanic-owned business and economic mobility in the U.S., suggesting context—like initial human capital and enclave economic structure—shapes the outcome.
Why this is interesting
You might think that living among your own ethnic group would hold you back economically, but for many immigrants, a neighborhood like Chinatown or Little Havana is the first step up the ladder. Yet others remain trapped there for decades—why the difference?