Immigrant entrepreneurs are driving economic growth across the United States, but their impact is far more pronounced in some cities than others, according to new research highlighting where foreign-born business owners are thriving.
A recent analysis of the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas shows that immigrant-owned businesses make up nearly a quarter of all companies nationwide, with certain cities emerging as major hubs for entrepreneurship fueled by global migration. The study, conducted by researchers at Coventry Direct using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, reveals wide regional disparities in the concentration of immigrant-owned enterprises.
Miami, Florida, leads the nation by a significant margin, with 61.81% of all businesses in the metro area owned by immigrants—nearly three times the national average of 23.39%. The city’s status as a long-standing international gateway and its diverse population have helped create fertile ground for immigrant entrepreneurship across industries ranging from hospitality and retail to professional services.
Several major U.S. cities also rank high for immigrant business ownership. San Jose, California, placed second with 50.04%, followed by Los Angeles (43.94%), New York (42.58%), and Washington, D.C. (40.95%). San Francisco (40.05%), Stockton, California (39.28%), Orlando, Florida (39.26%), El Paso, Texas (38.74%), and McAllen, Texas (37.18%) complete the top 10.
Researchers note that many of these metropolitan areas share common traits, including strong industry diversity, well-established cultural communities, and economic conditions that support business creation. Florida, California, and Texas dominate the list, reflecting both long-standing migration patterns and continued population growth driven by immigrant communities.
The findings also point to sharp regional differences. Cities with the lowest shares of immigrant-owned businesses tend to cluster in the Midwest and parts of the Southeast. Jackson, Mississippi, ranked last among the nation’s largest metro areas, with just 5.36% of businesses owned by immigrants.
Immigrant-owned enterprises range from family-run restaurants and independent retailers to tech startups and professional firms, contributing significantly to job creation and local economies. As migration continues to shape the demographic landscape of the United States, researchers say immigrant entrepreneurs remain a vital force in sustaining economic growth and cultural diversity in communities nationwide.
