How many Ethiopians live in the United States? In California?  I
already have Year 2000 U.S. Census information but there is reason to
think it understates the real numbers.  By Ethiopians, I mean people
born in Ethiopia or the children of people born in Ethiopia.  I would
like information that has a citable source (whether it is an agency, a
report, or quote from an expert, etc.)Thank you.

---

Request for Question Clarification by cynabun-ga on 12 Dec 2002 17:27 PST

Are you looking for numbers of permanet residents, or are you also
including those who may be in the US on a temporary basis, such as
students, or those on work visas?

Dear sociology,

You requested information about the number of Ethiopians residing in
the US.

I understand from your note that you already know the census numbers –
I therefore did not bother to retrieve them.  If you would like me to
do so, please let me know and I will gladly provide those numbers to
you as well.


Total Number of Ethiopians in the US
******************************

Here are some estimates that I have dug up from reputable sources,
with the proper citations –

“Much of the investment will be likely to come from the estimated
250,000 to 300,000 Ethiopians living in the United States. By far the
biggest community is in Washington, home to around 70,000 Ethiopians.
Smaller communities also flourish in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Los
Angeles and New York.”

Source:
The horn of Africa: Ethiopia: Are US investors missing out? 
African Business
London
Feb 2001
by Larry Luxner

Here is an even bigger number – from a highly reliable source!

“Ethiopian ambassador to the US, Kasahun Ayele also told reporters
that over half a million Ethiopians living in the USA have shown their
willingness to take part in the development endeavor of the country.”

Source: 
Ethiopia: US, World Bank, IMF pledge financial support 
BBC Monitoring Africa - Political
London
Dec 7, 2002

On the other hand, I also found this quote – but it is from 1991 -

“Many of the 40,000 Ethiopians living in the U.S. buy teff flour from
the Carlsons to make a sour-tasting flatbread called injera.”

Source:
Farmer restores grain to Ethiopians 
Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Ill.Sep 29, 1991
Cliff Hadley, Associated Press.

California
**********

Concerning the number of Ethiopians living in California, I have found
a couple of numbers –

“The biggest customer base of Fairfax is, of course, the roughly
35,000 Ethiopians living in sprawling Southern California, who need
not only a regular fix of home — injera, wine, eskista — but a regular
meeting-up place.”

Source:
Fairfax Avenue
Ethiopian Addis-Faction in Mid-Wilshire 
by Erin J. Aubry 
FEBRUARY 12 - 18, 1999
http://www.laweekly.com/ink/printme.php?eid=3956

And according to the following article –

“There are roughly 5,000 Ethiopians living in the Bay Area.”

Source:
Serious work for literacy is behind 'Silly' book 
San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco, Calif.
Aug 30, 2002
Rona Marech

Since most Ethiopians living in California are highly likely to live
in the major metro areas of the bay area and Southern California, I
think we can safely estimate, based on these two sources, that there
are roughly 40,000 Ethiopians in California.

I hope this response adequately addresses your request.  Please let me
know if you are in need of additional information concerning this
query, and I will be glad to do my best to locate it for you.

Thanks,
ragingacademic


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