Guyanese immigrants rank fourth in Queens
NEW York -- A new study of New York City's immigrant population shows that many from Guyana tend to flock to New York City and that most of them settled in Queens between 1995 and 1996. The number of Guyanese immigrants settled in Queens ranks fourth among all national groups. Guyana ranks behind immigrants from the former Soviet Union, 9,361; China with 7,110 and the Dominican Republic which had 5,460. The study examined the postal zip code of immigrants to determine patterns of residential settlement in the city and found that some 5,171 Guyanese settled in Queens during the two year period. It is estimated that more than 14,000 Guyanese came to New York during that time. Queens had the largest number of immigrants followed by Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island. Guyanese have also settled in Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties), Westchester and a number of upstate cities. Very few Guyanese live in Manhattan because of housing costs and fewer still are in Staten Island because it is far out and too costly to commute between the island and other parts of the city. The study found that of 2,400 immigrants who came to Richmond Hill during the two years, half were Guyanese, causing the neighbourhood to change significantly. It also said that a large number of Guyanese also settled in Jamaica and Hillcrest (Hollis). Guyanese immigrants tend to establish patterns in areas where they settle. Aside from Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Wakefield, Jamaica and Hollis in Queens, Guyanese have also established significant communities in Kew Gardens, Briarwood, Woodside, Woodhaven, Astoria, Bellerose and Elmhurst. According to the study, immigrants tend to settle in areas with affordable, easily accessible housing. hence the pattern of residential settlement.(FROM VISHNU BISRAM)
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