A Profile of the Marshallese Community in Arkansas, Volume 3

A Profile of the Marshallese Community in Arkansas, Volume 3 (click to view)

A Profile of the Marshallese Community in Arkansas describes the results of a 2012 survey of members of the Marshallese community conducted in Springdale, Arkansas. According to the 2010 Census, out of the estimated 22,400 Marshallese individuals in the United States, 4,300 (19%) live in Arkansas. When compared with estimates from the 2010 American Community Survey (ACS), the Marshall Islands represent the fourth-largest origin country for Arkansas foreign-born residents (see Volume 1). Marshall Islanders have been drawn to Springdale for educational and employment opportunities. This report looks at the educational attainment, integration success, health care access and economic impact of these Marshallese immigrants.

The report finds that educational attainment is relatively low among Marshallese immigrants in Arkansas with 35% lacking a high school diploma. They are overwhelmingly isolated from the political process given that nearly all (98%) survey respondents are non-citizens and could not identify as either "liberal" or "conservative." They are mostly employed in the poultry industry and around two-thirds (68%) have health insurance comapred to 38% of Latino immigrants. 

A Profile of the Marshallese Community in Arkansas, Volume 3 (click to view)