[Archived] Data Reveals Economic Contributions by Immigrants in Alexandria

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2018

On Monday, July 30, during an event hosted at Northern Virginia Community College, representatives from local businesses and immigrant groups, along with Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg, City Manager Mark Jinks and Department of Community and Human Services Director Kate Garvey joined the Alexandria Workforce Development Center (WDC) as it released a report detailing the economic impact of immigrants in Alexandria. 

Immigrants in the City of Alexandria paid $364.6 million in taxes in 2016, including $262.3 million in federal taxes and $102.2 million in state and local taxes, according to the WDC report. In addition to their financial contributions, the new report shows the role that the immigrant population in Alexandria plays in the local labor force as well as their contributions to the city’s recent population growth. Though they account for 28 percent of the city’s overall population, immigrants represent 32.3 percent the city’s working age population and 30.5 percent of its employed labor force. The report also shows that more than half of the city’s population growth in between 2011 and 2016 is attributable to immigrants.

The report was compiled by New American Economy (NAE) in partnership with the WDC and Alexandria Economic Development Partnership. Following a rigorous application process, the City of Alexandria was one of 25 communities in the country selected to receive a Gateways for Growth award and research grant from the NAE in 2017. WDC was awarded the grant for demonstrating a strong commitment from local government, business and civil society partners in recognizing and highlighting the contributions immigrants are making and for developing concrete strategies and recommendations needed to maximize these contributions.

For further information, email WDC Director Daniel Mekibib at Daniel.Mekibib@alexandriava.gov. As a certified One Stop Center, WDC serves clients with a variety of skill levels, from those with advanced degrees and years of experience to those with limited education and experience, as well as provides a range of business services at no cost to businesses. 

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, email maurice.tomdio@alexandriava.gov or call 571.384.5244, Virginia Relay 711.