Abstract
ABSTRACT This paper explores the role of migrant networks on the occupational earnings of Swedish male immigrants in the United States from 1900 to 1920. Using data from full-count U.S. censuses, we construct various measurements of migrant networks based on the share of Swedish, other Scandinavian, and other foreign-born individuals at both the county and neighborhood levels. To define the neighborhood levels, we exploit the fact that the historical U.S censuses typically enumerated next-door neighbors following each other in census forms. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship between migrant networks and economic outcomes. Specifically, residing in counties with a high concentration of Swedish or other Scandinavian immigrants is linked to lower occupational earnings, consistent with prior research. In contrast, living in neighborhoods with a substantial presence of Swedish or other Scandinavian-born individuals is associated with higher occupational earnings. Importantly, these effects are entirely driven by urban areas, where migrant networks appear to facilitate better economic opportunities. In rural areas, no significant network effects are observed. These findings highlight the importance of considering spatial dimensions and varying levels of social proximity when studying migrant networks. By broadening the definition of these networks, this paper offers a deeper understanding of their role in shaping the economic assimilation of immigrants.
Published Version
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