A study released Wednesday found that immigrants, who accounted for 9.4% of Wayne County's population in 2017, contributed more than $10.5 billion to the county's gross domestic product.
The study was a collaboration between New American Economy, a bipartisan research and advocacy organization, the Office of the Wayne County Executive and Wayne United.
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Wayne County's population in 2017 consisted of 164,442 immigrants with the top five countries of origin being Yemen (14.5%), Mexico (13%), India (10.9%), Lebanon (9.1%) and Bangladesh (5.7%). Immigrant households earned $4.3 billion that year, and from that $736.3 million went to federal taxes and $345.9 million to local and state taxes, according to the study.
"When you look at the numbers, the economic case for inclusion and welcoming immigrants is irrefutable -- Wayne County continues to benefit from its diversity dividend," Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said. "As we try to build a more prosperous county and future, we need to help raise awareness about the key roles immigrants play across economic sectors and in our communities."
Immigrants accounted for 11.5% of the working-age population in the county, the study found. This population makes up 16.3% of Wayne County business owners.
The study also found:
- Immigrants were more likely to have a bachelor's degree or higher in both Wayne County and Michigan
- 30.4% of immigrants held a bachelor's degree of higher, compared with 21.7% of U.S.-born people in Wayne County and 14.6% of immigrants held an advanced degree compared with 8.7% of U.S.-born people
- The total property value of immigrant households was $7.4 billion
- There were 29,252 undocumented immigrants in Wayne County in 2017
- Between 2012 and 2017, county immigrant population increased by 24.1%
For more information, check out New American Economy's website.