New data shows immigrants in the Orlando metro area paid more than $2.8 billion in taxes in 2017

New York – Today New American Economy (NAE), a bipartisan research and advocacy organization focused on immigration, released new data highlighting the significant contributions immigrants make to the Orlando metro area’s community and economy. The data shows that immigrants in Orlando are driving economic growth — there were nearly 30,000 immigrant entrepreneurs in the metro area and immigrants were more than 18 percent more likely to be entrepreneurs when compared to U.S.-born residents. Immigrants are also major consumers who help power Orlando’s businesses. In 2017, Orlando’s immigrants held nearly $9.3 billion in spending power, a nearly $300 million increase from 2016.

The research is part of NAE’s Map the Impact, an interactive map that quantifies immigrant contributions at the national, state, metro area, and congressional district levels, and across industries. 

Key findings for the Orlando metro area include: 

• Immigrants are helping to grow Orlando’s economy. In 2017, there were 29,545 immigrant entrepreneurs in the Orlando metro area. Immigrants were also 18.2 percent more likely to be entrepreneurs when compared to U.S.-born residents.
• Major industries in the Orlando metro area depend on immigrant workers. Immigrants make up 18.1 percent of the area’s population, and they have an outsized impact on many industries. Immigrants made up 34.4 percent of the area’s construction workers, 26.8 percent of its real estate workers, and 23.9 percent of its manufacturing workers. 
• Immigrants help fill workforce gaps. In 2017, 77.3 percent of immigrants in Orlando were of working age, compared to 63.2 percent of U.S.-born residents, allowing immigrants to fill employment gaps across industries.
• Immigrants pay billions in taxes and hold significant spending power. In 2017, immigrants in the Orlando metro area paid more than $2.8 billion in taxes and held nearly $9.3 billion in spending power, supporting Orlando’s local businesses.

“Orlando’s economy is growing thanks in part to the job creation, tax revenue, and spending power that come from immigrants,” said Kate Brick, Director of State and Local Initiatives at New American Economy. “These tangible impacts are benefitting the entire Orlando community and all of its residents.”

Map the Impact shows NAE analysis of the latest data from the 2017 American Communities Survey. You can find the new version of the Map at maptheimpact.org.