Montana

 

 

 

The Economic and Political Power of Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians in the Treasure State

 

Immigrants, Latinos, and Asians account for a significant share of the population and economy in Montana. Immigrants (the foreign-born) make up 2% of the state’s population, and almost half of them are naturalized U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote. “New Americans”—immigrants and the children of immigrants—account for 1.9% of registered voters in the state. Immigrants are not only important to the state’s economy as workers, but also account for tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and consumer purchasing power. Moreover, Latinos and Asians (both foreign-born and native-born) wield $973 million in consumer purchasing power, and the businesses they own had sales and receipts of more than $300 million and employed more than 4,000 people at last count. As the economy continues to grow, Montana can ill-afford to alienate a significant component of its labor force, tax base, and business community.