A Profile of Somali Refugees in the United States

Franklin Goza, Bowling Green State University
Elizabeth H Baker, Bowling Green State University

This study provides an overview of Somali residents of the US captured by the 2000 Census of Population. This data permits the elaboration of a detailed socioeconomic portrait of this population. This presentation begins by documenting where Somalis live, when they arrived, and how this immigrant group has grown since 1990. This profile not only documents individual level characteristics, but also presents the household situation of these refugees. As we analyze household demographic patterns household economic conditions are also examined. Next, attention focuses on the social assimilation of Somalis. Lastly, we attempt to determine those factors that best explain the observed patterns of social and economic assimilation.