Population Analysis of Guyanese and Trinidadians in NYC

Population Analysis of Guyanese and Trinidadians in NYC
Based on The Newest New Yorker Report from the  NYC Department of City Planning

In December 2013, the New York City Department of City Planning issued a detailed report showing that Guyanese are the second largest immigrant group in Queens and the fifth largest in New York City.  
Immigrants from Trinidad & Tobago (“Trinidad”) occupy the eighth position. The report, The
Newest New Yorkers, is based on data collected in the 2010 Census and the 2011 American Community Survey.  

The report details the change in population and provides comprehensive information on the foreign-born population to policy makers, program planners, and service providers to help them gain perspective on a
population that continues to reshape the city.  The data is based on the foreign born population from specific countries, but the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc. combined the data for Guyana and Trinidad to reflect the overwhelming ethnic and cultural similarities[1] among the two nationalities. The combination also reflects to propensity for Indo-Caribbeans from Guyana and Trinidad, and other Caribbean countries, to work closely together for social, political and economic development in New York City. 

While this report demonstrates the large Indo-Caribbean population in New York City, it does not account for the population born in the United States.  Immigrants from Guyana and Trinidad began moving to New York City in significant waves since the 1960’s and many are now first and second generation Americans. If these populations were included, we are confident the number of Indo-Caribbeans residents in New York City would be considerably larger. 
 
Key Findings

Population
·        In New York City, the combined foreign-born population of Guyana and Trinidad is 227,582.  This is the 3rd highest foreign-born population in New York City-trailing only the Dominican Republic (380,160) and China (350,231) and ahead of countries such as Mexico, Jamaica and India among others.

·        In the largest New York metropolitan region, the combined total number of Guyanese and Trinidadian
immigrants would be over 288,000, the 5th highest foreign-born population, trailing the Dominican Republic (557,520), China (477,386), Mexico (366,810), and India (330,881).

 ·        In Queens, which has the largest concentration of Indo-Caribbeans among the five boroughs, Guyanese represent the second largest foreign-born population with over 82,000 individuals trailing only Chinese immigrants who account for over 142,000.  The reports also found that nearly half of all Queens’ residents are foreign born as of 2011 out of a total population of 2.2 million residents.

 ·        More than half of all Guyanese immigrants and 40% of all Trinidadian immigrants in the United States live in New York City.  

Source: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/census/nny2013/nny_2013.pdf

Male to Female Ratio
·        There are 79 males for every 100 female Guyanese immigrants.  

·        There are 65 Trinidadian male immigrants for every 100 Trinidadian female immigrants which
are among the lowest male to female ratios of all foreign-born populations. 

·        By comparison, New York City (native and foreign born) was approximately 90 females for every 100
males.

Age
·        The median age for both immigrant groups was 46-48 years old.  Approximately 1 out of 3 was between 18-44 years old.

Education
 ·         1 out of 3 New York City residents (foreign-born and native) had college experience or advanced
degrees compared to only 16% of Guyanese and 15% of Trinidadian immigrants. 
 
·    Only China, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mexico had lower percentages relative to their respective
population.

·        The high school dropout  rate for Guyanese and Trinidadians was 11% roughly matching the city’s overall average. 

Income
·        The average household income for Guyanese immigrants was approximately $51,000, much higher than the average for foreign-born populations and only exceeded by immigrants from India,
the Philippines and United Kingdom.  
 
·        Trinidadian immigrants’ household income was approximately $44,000 which is consistent with the average household income for all foreign-born populations.  
 
·        NYC’s median income (including native and foreign-born) was approximately $49,792. 

·         Female Trinidadian immigrant workers in New York City made an average of $44,000 compared to
$40,000 for female Guyanese workers.

·        15% of Trinidadian and Guyanese immigrants were in poverty, 25% lower than the New York City average.

Note:  Immigrant and non-citizen are used interchangeably and only represent immigrants not born
in the US.  They do include foreign born immigrants who are citizens and may include undocumented immigrants.  The report does not detail race.

For more information read the full report which details separate entries for Trinidad and Guyana as well as the interactive chart: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/census/nny.shtml

Footnote: [1] It is important to acknowledge that Guyana and Trinidad are multi-ethnic societies, and while Indo-Caribbeans are the single largest ethnic groups within those countries, they are not the only ones to move to New York City. In fact, large communities of Afro-Caribbeans are concentrated in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.

About Indo-Caribbean Alliance, Inc.
Indo-Caribbean Alliance (ICA) empowers Guyanese, Trinidadian and other Indo-Caribbean youth and families in New York City by providing supportive and culturally-sensitive programs,
services and advocacy. 

ICA’s strategies include creating outlets for children, their families and the community to partner in their
success; building coalitions with allied organizations, businesses and residents; creating awareness and developing leadership within the community to take action and foster social change. Our program areas include: Youth Development, Leadership Skill Building, Identify and Cultural Awareness, Civic
Engagement and Activism.  For more information, visit us online at www.indocaribbean.org