Colombians have long settled in the United States for various reasons, including seeking asylum, better life opportunities, and better-paying jobs.
According to U.S. Census data, an estimated 1.6 million Hispanics of Colombian origin lived in the U.S. in 2023, making Colombians the seventh-largest Hispanic origin group in the country. Around 30 percent of Colombian-Americans live in Florida, especially in the Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Colombians in the USA
Colombian migration to the U.S. occurred primarily in three waves. The first wave followed World War I, with Colombian communities forming mainly in New York. During the 1970s and 1980s, changes in U.S. immigration laws made it easier for Colombians to travel and settle in the U.S.
The third wave occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, driven by the rise of cocaine trafficking and the strengthening of drug cartels and paramilitary groups in Colombia, which led many Colombians to seek safer lives abroad.
In addition to New York, Colombians also have settled in other states such as California, Florida and New Jersey, alongside other immigrant communities from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. These states feature cities and neighborhoods where Colombian culture is prominently displayed, with streets lined with Colombian restaurants, supermarkets and clubs.
On the other hand, Florida is home to 30% of the total Colombian diaspora in the United States, with major concentrations in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area and the Tampa Bay Area.
As a result, Florida has the highest concentration of Colombians in the United States (approximately 35% in 2021), followed by New York (approximately 13% in 2021), New Jersey (approximately 11% in 2021), Texas and California.
Little Colombia in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York
Jackson Heights in Queens, New York, serves as a notable example. By the late 1980s, the area saw a significant presence of Colombian cartels within its business community along Roosevelt Avenue. At that time, Jackson Heights was predominantly Colombian, though other migrants, such as Ecuadorians and Argentinians, also settled there.
Over time, the area shed its negative reputation and is now celebrated as a vibrant hub for Colombian culture. Jackson Heights is popularly known as a multi-ethnic neighborhood, sometimes referred to as “Little Colombia” due to its significant Colombian population and businesses along 37th Avenue.
For example, one iconic figure in Jackson Heights is Maria Cano, affectionately known as the “Arepa Lady”. Originally from Medellin, she moved to the U.S. with her family in 1984. Cano began her journey by selling traditional arepas (a type of corn cake) at a subway station. Her delicious and authentic food quickly gained popularity, making her a beloved local figure. Today, her sons continue her legacy by running a traditional Colombian restaurant, keeping the family’s culinary heritage alive in the community.
Elizabeth, New Jersey, also known as “Elizalombia”
Among U.S. towns with the most residents born in Colombia, Elizabeth, New Jersey, stands out, earning the nickname “Elizalombia”. This city has over 125,000 inhabitants, with about 35,000 being of Colombian origin.
In Elizabeth, visitors can explore the “Colombian District” on Morris Avenue, a vibrant area featuring a variety of Colombian bakeries and restaurants. Here, you can savor traditional dishes such as empanadas, arepas, sancocho, and bandeja paisa. The district also offers a lively cultural experience with music, art, and nightlife. Notable spots include “Garden Restaurant and Lounge”, “Brisas Bakery and Restaurant”, and “Rancho Mateo Steak House”, each showcasing the rich flavors of Colombian cuisine.
In addition to this city, there are other areas with high Colombian populations, such as Kendall, Florida; Victory Gardens, New Jersey; Country Club, Florida; and Dover, New Jersey. With over 20 percent of the population from Colombia, these cities offer visitors a rich array of venues showcasing the region’s culture, food, and music.
Kendall, Florida
In Kendall, the Colombian influence is so strong that it feels like stepping into the Latin American country itself. According to the 2020 United States census, 71.11% of its population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Much like in other regions in the United States, visitors can find a variety of traditional Colombian restaurants, such as “Fonda Sabaneta”, “Rinconcito Paisa #1 Bandeja Paisa”, and “Pueblito Viejo”. Known as “Little Colombia”, Kendall boasts a plaza dedicated to celebrating Colombian culture at Westwind Lakes Park, highlighting the area’s deep-rooted connection to Colombian heritage.
Plaza Colombia was created through a collaboration between the Colombian-American Coalition of Florida and the Parks Department to enhance Westwind Lakes Park aesthetically and culturally while celebrating the Colombian-American community. “Such partnerships enable Miami-Dade County Parks to support projects like this plaza, which honor the diverse communities that call Miami-Dade home”, said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys during the opening. Plaza Colombia features brick walkways, a seating area with benches, a memorial wall, flag poles, and decorative spheres.
Colombian town in East Boston, Massachusetts
East Boston, a popular neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, has become widely known among Colombians, who primarily began arriving in the area since the 1980s. This neighborhood became the heartland of Colombian settlement in Boston, hosting roughly three-quarters of the city’s Colombian population. Interestingly, more than 10 percent of the residents from Donmatias, a Colombian municipality north of Medellin, have migrated to Boston.
Colombians have revitalized East Boston through their businesses, cultural institutions, and restaurants. Notable venues in the area include “El Peñol,” “Tertulias Cafe,” and “La Chiva Restaurant, which offer authentic Colombian cuisine. Additionally, there is a dance company called “Bajucol”, which performs traditional Colombian folk dances, such as cumbia and bambuco.
Doral, a Colombian town in Florida
In Doral, 20 percent of the population is from Colombia. This city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is known for its active Colombian community, which significantly contributes to the local economy and business landscape.
In Doral, you will find several Colombian restaurants and shops such as “Fajas Colombianas,” a clothing store, and “Bandeja Paisa Restaurant”. Additionally, Doral is home to the headquarters of several well-known Colombian companies. These include “Narcobollo Cafe”, a renowned restaurant showcasing traditional Caribbean coast cuisine; “Servientrega”, a delivery company; and “Pan Pa Ya”, a bakery and pastry goods company.
Dover, New Jersey
Dover is another example of a significant Colombian town in the U.S. According to the 2010 census, Dover’s Hispanic population was 69.4 percent. The majority of the Hispanic residents were from Colombia (15.2 percent), Mexico (14.9 percent), and Puerto Rico (11.1 percent).
In Dover, there is “Club Colombia”, which organizes various activities for the Colombian population in the town. For example, on July 23, the club organized an event to celebrate the country’s independence, inviting entrepreneurs who sold coffee, clothes, and food. They also had music performances featuring vallenato artists, DJs, and dance presentations of children performing Colombian folk music.
The club received recognition for “exemplary community leadership” from the Office of the Mayor’s International Relations and Diaspora Affairs. “I dedicate this to everyone who has supported Club Colombia for 45 years, helping it continue to grow for the benefit of the community,” posted Yoni Pulgarin, the administrator of the club.
Related: The Colombian Diaspora in the US, a Portrait of Migration