Biggest sources of immigrants to San Diego
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 countries most immigrants to San Diego come from, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Countries are ranked by highest number of foreign-born residents who lived in San Diego as of 2019's five-year estimates.
Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home city.
#50. Jamaica
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,152
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
#49. Romania
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,208
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 162,046
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #45 most common country of origin
#48. Nicaragua
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,320
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 251,913
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #33 most common country of origin
#47. Spain
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,441
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 115,113
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #55 most common country of origin
#46. Sweden
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,455
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 47,286
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #85 most common country of origin
#45. Pakistan
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,543
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
#44. Ireland
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,659
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 121,469
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #53 most common country of origin
#43. Netherlands
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,714
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 85,161
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #69 most common country of origin
#42. Turkey
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,778
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 119,380
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #54 most common country of origin
#41. Indonesia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,846
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 96,229
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #62 most common country of origin
#40. Argentina
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,849
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 194,435
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #39 most common country of origin
#39. Egypt
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,897
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
#38. Australia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 1,911
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
National
- Number of residents: 92,483
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #64 most common country of origin
#37. Saudi Arabia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,047
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
#36. Syria
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,052
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 95,802
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #63 most common country of origin
#35. Lebanon
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,111
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 121,697
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #52 most common country of origin
#34. Cuba
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,151
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
#33. Honduras
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,199
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
#32. Israel
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,229
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 135,672
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #50 most common country of origin
#31. Ethiopia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,465
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
#30. Somalia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,527
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
#29. Poland
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,543
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 410,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #21 most common country of origin
#28. Cambodia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,696
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
#27. South Africa
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,715
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 104,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #56 most common country of origin
#26. Hong Kong
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 2,812
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 231,275
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #36 most common country of origin
#25. Thailand
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,082
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
#24. France
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,247
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
#23. Ukraine
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,282
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
#22. Afghanistan
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,289
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 101,548
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #59 most common country of origin
#21. Peru
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,387
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
#20. Italy
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,907
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
#19. Colombia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 3,929
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
#18. El Salvador
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 4,563
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
#17. Laos
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 4,829
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 181,546
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #42 most common country of origin
#16. Brazil
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 6,112
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
#15. Russia
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 6,272
- 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
#14. Germany
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 6,841
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
#13. Taiwan
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 7,674
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
#12. Guatemala
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 8,014
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
#11. Iran
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 11,344
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
#10. Japan
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 11,647
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
#9. Canada
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 12,072
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
#8. United Kingdom
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 12,310
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
#7. South Korea
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 14,851
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
#6. Iraq
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 23,240
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
#5. India
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 25,243
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.3%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
#4. China
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 28,568
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.7%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
#3. Vietnam
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 38,516
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.0%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
#2. Philippines
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 98,068
- Percent of foreign born residents: 12.7%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
#1. Mexico
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
- Number of residents: 336,009
- Percent of foreign born residents: 43.4%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
