Contemporary spatial distribution of ethnic groups that are largely comprised of immigrants or descendants of immigrants. Darker purple areas indicate a higher concentration of residents identifying with a particular ethnic group. (Source: Budget and Legislative Analyst, San Francisco Planning Department)
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Immigration
Many minority groups that have historically faced economic hardships in San Francisco are immigrants, or descendants of immigrants. Ethnic groups have been treated very differently in the Bay City over the years, depending on the political and economic conditions of the time. The Chinese are a prime example of this—they have been one of the top immigrating populations in the city, dating back to the early 19th century. While the Chinese are only one example of the many immigrant communities in San Francisco, they demonstrate that living in San Francisco as an immigrant can be both a struggle and a success. Overall, Asians have fared much better than other groups, like Latinos, who have historically lacked the communal strength and resources to establish an influential voice within the city. This influences their ability to compete for space, as the Latino population makes up about 20% of total San Franciscans living under the poverty line [3]. This may change, however, as Latinos (along with Asians) have been one of the fastest growing populations in San Francisco in the past few decades [3].
Overall high rates of immigration have given San Francisco a cultural richness and sense of tolerance that sets it apart from many American cities. |