Biggest sources of immigrants to Virginia
Written by:
March 24, 2021
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
Biggest sources of immigrants to Virginia
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest sources of immigrants to Virginia using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home state.
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Photos By Beks // Unsplash
#50. Kenya
Virginia
- Number of residents: 3,669
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,669
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
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Unsplash
#49. Lebanon
Virginia
- Number of residents: 3,748
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 121,697
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #52 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,748
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 121,697
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #52 most common country of origin
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SL-Photography // Shutterstock
#48. Panama
Virginia
- Number of residents: 3,978
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,978
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
4 / 50
Christopher Michel // Flickr
#47. Sudan
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,281
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,281
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 46,716
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #87 most common country of origin
5 / 50
Pixabay
#46. Italy
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,560
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,560
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
6 / 50
Michael Shade // Wikicommons
#45. Ecuador
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,578
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,578
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 438,474
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #19 most common country of origin
7 / 50
Kalamazadkhan // Wikicommons
#44. Trinidad and Tobago
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,792
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 230,035
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #37 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,792
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 230,035
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #37 most common country of origin
8 / 50
Evgeniya Uvarova // Shutterstock
#43. Argentina
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,848
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,848
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
9 / 50
Tupungato // Shutterstock
#42. France
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,941
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,941
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
10 / 50
Elena Simona Craciun // Shutterstock
#41. Nicaragua
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,948
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 251,913
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #33 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,948
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 251,913
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #33 most common country of origin
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Unsplash
#40. Ukraine
Virginia
- Number of residents: 4,994
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,994
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
12 / 50
robertonencini // Shutterstock
#39. Sierra Leone
Virginia
- Number of residents: 5,207
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 40,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #94 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,207
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 40,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #94 most common country of origin
13 / 50
Fitria Ramli // Shutterstock
#38. Saudi Arabia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 5,211
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,211
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
14 / 50
Vannrith Va // Unsplash
#37. Cambodia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 5,293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,293
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
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OpenUpEd // Flickr
#36. Nigeria
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,051
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,051
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
16 / 50
Pixabay
#35. Turkey
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,247
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 119,380
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #54 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,247
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 119,380
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #54 most common country of origin
17 / 50
Pixabay
#34. Dominican Republic
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,551
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,551
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,118,147
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
- #8 most common country of origin
18 / 50
agchinook // Shutterstock
#33. Venezuela
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,824
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,824
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
19 / 50
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#32. Cuba
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,839
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,839
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
20 / 50
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#31. Brazil
Virginia
- Number of residents: 6,854
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,854
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
21 / 50
Adam Jones, Ph.D. // Wikicommons
#30. Morocco
Virginia
- Number of residents: 7,402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 78,439
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #73 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 7,402
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 78,439
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #73 most common country of origin
22 / 50
PIxabay
#29. Taiwan
Virginia
- Number of residents: 7,680
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 7,680
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
23 / 50
Jack Bkk // Shutterstock
#28. Thailand
Virginia
- Number of residents: 8,060
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 8,060
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
24 / 50
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#27. Iraq
Virginia
- Number of residents: 8,108
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 8,108
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
25 / 50
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#26. Russia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 8,603
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 8,603
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
26 / 50
Unsplash
#25. Japan
Virginia
- Number of residents: 8,791
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 8,791
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
27 / 50
Vixit // Shutterstock
#24. Nepal
Virginia
- Number of residents: 8,885
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 8,885
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
28 / 50
Prin Adulyatham // Shutterstock
#23. Egypt
Virginia
- Number of residents: 9,302
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 9,302
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
29 / 50
byvalet // Shutterstock
#22. Jamaica
Virginia
- Number of residents: 10,326
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 10,326
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
30 / 50
Denys Yelmanov // Shutterstock
#21. Bangladesh
Virginia
- Number of residents: 11,186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 237,288
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #35 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 11,186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 237,288
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #35 most common country of origin
31 / 50
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#20. Colombia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 12,840
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 12,840
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
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Unsplash
#19. Canada
Virginia
- Number of residents: 12,976
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 12,976
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
33 / 50
Ninara // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Iran
Virginia
- Number of residents: 14,079
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 14,079
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
34 / 50
Rjruiziii // Wikicommons
#17. Ghana
Virginia
- Number of residents: 15,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 15,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
35 / 50
Michal Knitl // Shutterstock
#16. Afghanistan
Virginia
- Number of residents: 18,184
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 101,548
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #59 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 18,184
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 101,548
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #59 most common country of origin
36 / 50
Max Pixel
#15. Germany
Virginia
- Number of residents: 18,277
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 18,277
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
37 / 50
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#14. United Kingdom
Virginia
- Number of residents: 19,450
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 19,450
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
38 / 50
Tobias Jelskov // Unsplash
#13. Bolivia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 24,990
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
National
- Number of residents: 78,927
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #72 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 24,990
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
National
- Number of residents: 78,927
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #72 most common country of origin
39 / 50
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#12. Pakistan
Virginia
- Number of residents: 25,794
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 25,794
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.5%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
40 / 50
Christian Vinces // Shutterstock
#11. Peru
Virginia
- Number of residents: 27,403
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.6%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 27,403
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.6%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
41 / 50
neiljs // Flickr
#10. Ethiopia
Virginia
- Number of residents: 30,114
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 30,114
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
42 / 50
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#9. Guatemala
Virginia
- Number of residents: 31,987
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 31,987
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
43 / 50
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#8. Honduras
Virginia
- Number of residents: 33,982
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.2%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 33,982
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.2%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
44 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#7. China
Virginia
- Number of residents: 41,722
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.0%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 41,722
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.0%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
45 / 50
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#6. Vietnam
Virginia
- Number of residents: 43,801
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 43,801
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
46 / 50
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#5. Philippines
Virginia
- Number of residents: 52,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 52,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
47 / 50
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#4. South Korea
Virginia
- Number of residents: 52,817
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 52,817
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
48 / 50
Arturo Chavez // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Mexico
Virginia
- Number of residents: 56,607
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.4%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 56,607
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.4%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
49 / 50
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#2. India
Virginia
- Number of residents: 89,861
- Percent of foreign born residents: 8.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 89,861
- Percent of foreign born residents: 8.5%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
50 / 50
JMRAFFi // Wikimedia Commons
#1. El Salvador
Virginia
- Number of residents: 109,924
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.5%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 109,924
- Percent of foreign born residents: 10.5%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
