Does Immigration Induce Urban Sprawl in the U.S.? A Demographic Analysis

Abstract

This article, utilizing U.S. Census data in 1980 and 1990, probes the relationship between immigration and urban sprawl. The preliminary findings reveal that native-born and foreign-born populations are very different regarding their household behaviors. Population growth caused by immigration is not likely the major causal factor to urban sprawl. The residential pattern of native-borns is more prone to inducing urban sprawl, since native-borns have a much higher growth rate in the number of households, owner-occupied housing, suburban residency, and demand for new housing. The article also shows that household behavior is a critical factor in causing urban sprawl. Household growth rather than population growth has a stronger causal linkage with urban sprawl. Future research, implementing microdata, is necessary to better disentangle the complex relationship.

Keywords: Immigrants, Urban Sprawl, Urban Form, Household, Population growth, Census, Demographic Analysis

JEL Classification: R23, J15