Where do Ghanaians move in America? The answer is not random. Ghanaian settlement in the United States follows clear geographic, economic, and institutional patterns. According to U.S. Census American Community Survey data analyzed by the Migration Policy Institute, approximately 223,000 Ghanaian-born immigrants lived in the United States as of 2024. When including U.S.-born children of Ghanaian ancestry, the number rises to roughly 332,000.
This report maps exactly where Ghanaians move in America, explains why those regions dominate, and documents the migration waves that shaped the modern Ghanaian American community.
Table of Contents
- Historical Growth Timeline
- Top States
- Metro and County Concentrations
- Migration Drivers
- Demographic and Economic Profile
- Institutional Anchors
- Data Transparency and Limitations
Historical Growth Timeline
| Year | Ghanaian-Born Population | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Under 10,000 | Primarily students and professionals |
| 2000 | 65,572 | Diversity Visa expansion, family sponsorship |
| 2010 | 91,322 | Secondary city expansion |
| 2024 | ~223,000 | Post-2000 acceleration |
More than 56 percent of Ghanaian immigrants arrived after 2000. This makes Ghanaian migration one of the most recent large African diaspora expansions in the United States.
Top States Where Ghanaians Live
| State | Approx. Ghanaian-Born | Settlement Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| New York | ~36,000 | Largest historic gateway |
| Virginia | ~17,000 | DC metro spillover |
| Maryland | ~17,000 | Prince George’s and Montgomery counties |
| New Jersey | ~15,000 | NYC metro extension |
| Texas | ~14,000 | Rapid growth region |
| Ohio | ~10,000 | Columbus concentration |
| Massachusetts | ~10,000 | Worcester high density |
| Georgia | ~9,500 | Atlanta professional hub |
| Illinois | ~8,600 | Chicago established community |
New York remains the primary answer to the question: where do Ghanaians move in America. However, the Washington DC metro area combined with Maryland and Virginia rivals New York when aggregated.
Metro and County-Level Concentrations
New York City Metro
- Bronx County approximately 19,500 Ghanaian-born residents
- Strong presence in Harlem and parts of Brooklyn
- Extensive Ghanaian business and church infrastructure
Washington DC Metro
- Prince George’s County Maryland
- Montgomery County Maryland
- Fairfax County Virginia
- Prince William County Virginia
Columbus, Ohio
- One of the most important Midwest hubs
- Growth driven by affordability and healthcare employment
Worcester, Massachusetts
- Ghanaians represent approximately 0.5 percent of city population
- One of the highest proportional concentrations nationwide
Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas
- Rapidly expanding professional and entrepreneurial migration
Approximately one-third of Ghanaian immigrants live in just five metro areas: New York City, Washington DC, Columbus, Minneapolis, and Atlanta.
Why These Cities? Migration Drivers
1. Immigration Policy
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act removed national-origin quotas. The 1990 Immigration Act created the Diversity Visa lottery, which significantly benefited Ghana. Ghana has consistently ranked among top African Diversity Visa recipients.
2. Education Pathways
Many Ghanaians first entered the United States as students. English fluency and high tertiary enrollment in Ghana facilitated smooth academic migration transitions.
3. Healthcare and Professional Employment
Labor force participation among Ghanaian immigrants is approximately 79 percent. Common fields include nursing, IT, finance, education, and engineering.
4. Chain Migration and Church Networks
Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal congregations serve as institutional anchors. These organizations provide employment referrals, housing support, and immigration guidance.
Demographic and Economic Profile
| Indicator | Ghanaian Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Working Age (18–64) | 88% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 18% |
| Graduate Degree | 12% |
| Labor Force Participation | 79% |
| Median Household Income | Slightly below U.S. median |
Ghanaian Americans are relatively young and economically active. English proficiency is near universal, although Twi, Ewe, Ga, and other Ghanaian languages remain widely spoken within households and churches.
Institutional Anchors
Key institutional pillars include:
- Ghanaian Catholic and SDA congregations in Worcester
- Council of Ghanaian Associations in Washington DC
- GhanaFest celebrations in New York and DC
- Professional networks such as Ghanaian physicians and nurses associations
- University Ghanaian student associations
These institutions reinforce geographic clustering and reduce integration barriers for new arrivals.
Data Transparency and Limitations
This report relies on U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 1-year and 5-year estimates analyzed by the Migration Policy Institute. County-level figures may contain margins of error. Ghanaian-born population counts differ from ancestry counts, which include U.S.-born children. Undocumented and temporary visa populations may not be fully captured.
For methodology details, see the Migration Policy Institute data portal: Migration Policy Institute
Related Ghana Citizenship Resources
- How to Get Ghanaian Citizenship
- Ghana Dual Citizenship Requirements
- Black Americans in Ghana
- Cost of Living in Ghana vs USA
Conclusion
Where do Ghanaians move in America? The evidence shows strong concentration in New York, the Washington DC metro area, Columbus, Worcester, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas–Fort Worth. These patterns reflect decades of immigration reform, Diversity Visa allocations, student pathways, professional employment, and powerful church-based community structures.
Understanding where Ghanaians move in America provides insight not only into diaspora geography but also into the broader story of Ghana’s global migration network.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year and 5-Year Estimates (2019–2024)
- Migration Policy Institute, Data Hub: Ghanaian Immigrants in the United States https://www.migrationpolicy.org
- U.S. Department of State, Diversity Visa Program Historical Statistics https://travel.state.gov
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics https://www.dhs.gov
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