Presenters:
Sida Meng
University of Southern California
Immigration remains a critical and heated topic in the United States, sparking debates over its economic impacts. This study examines how foreign-born populations influence median household income and whether the effect exhibits spatial dependence or spillover patterns at the state level. The study adopts spatial econometric approaches and incorporates control variables such as education attainment, age, unemployment, rural population, and crime rate.
The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between foreign-born populations and median household income, highlighting immigrants’ economic contributions. Spatial regression models, including spatial lag model, spatial error model, and spatial Durbin model, indicate localized effects without significant spillovers to neighboring states. By employing an inverse-distance weight matrix, the study captures nuanced spatial relationships by applying rigorous spatial econometric methods to provide policy-relevant insights. This study outcome underscores the role of immigrants in boosting state-level income, provides actionable insight to support inclusive immigration policies, and showcases the potential of geospatial analysis in addressing critical economic and social issues.
