A new report from New American Economy (NAE) shows that immigrants in the Greater Jackson region are more likely to be of working age than their U.S.-born peers. The report, Immigrants in Jackson Hole, finds that 87.2 percent of the region’s foreign-born residents are working-age, compared to 62.1 percent of the region’s U.S.-born population. While making up just 4.5 percent of the region’s population, immigrants make up 6 percent of the Jackson area’s labor force.

Our report goes on to detail how immigrants contributed to population growth in Jackson Hole, as well as the critical role immigrants play in many of the region’s key industries, including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. Immigrants in the region also see a 94 percent employment rate—equal to that of the U.S.-born population.

The brief’s key findings include:

• Immigrants in the Greater Jackson region are more likely to be of working age than their U.S.-born peers.2 percent of the foreign-born population is of working age, compared to 62.1 percent of the region’s U.S.-born population.
• 8 percent of the overall population growth in Jackson Hole between 2010-2015 is attributable to immigration. During that time period, the region’s population grew from 30,215 to 32,596—an increase of 7.9 percent.
• Immigrants play a critical role in several key industries in the Greater Jackson region, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and transportation.8 percent of the agriculture industry is foreign born, in addition to 11 percent of the tourism industry, 10.4 percent of the manufacturing industry, and 8.5 percent of the transportation industry.
• Despite making up just 4.5 percent of the overall population, immigrants made up 6 percent of the labor force in the Greater Jackson region.

Read the full research brief here.