New York City holds the title for the highest Puerto Rican population in the U.S., with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, following closely behind at 140,000 Puerto Rican inhabitants. This number represents roughly 15% of the city’s overall population, accounting for 40% of the state’s Puerto Rican demographic.
The core of Philadelphia’s Puerto Rican community is a neighborhood that emerged post-World War II. Pennsylvania ranks #4 among states in Puerto Rican population, with 3.8% of its residents originating from Puerto Rico or having Puerto Rican heritage.
Philadelphia boasts a rich Puerto Rican community that has thrived for a century. During the 1920s, Puerto Ricans migrated to Philadelphia for employment in cigar factories and textile industries, both of which had operations in Puerto Rico. These skilled laborers often resided in boarding houses designed for Spanish-speaking men, but as they integrated into the area, Puerto Rican business owners and families established Puerto Rican neighborhoods, notably “El Bloque de Oro,” or “The Golden Block.” This locale became known as the Golden Center.
Like other regions in the Northeast, many of the first Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania arrived as agricultural workers, but the state’s universities also attracted them. Pennsylvania became an appealing option for Puerto Ricans from New York seeking a less urban lifestyle. With lower housing expenses and abundant work in agriculture and food processing, clusters of Puerto Ricans settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch regions. Despite encountering discrimination, Puerto Ricans valued the safer and more affordable living conditions offered in Pennsylvania.
Various business, social, and political organizations were formed, cementing Puerto Ricans’ role in Philadelphia’s political landscape. Starting in the 1960s, Puerto Ricans have played a significant role in the city’s legislative and judicial frameworks.
Pennsylvania’s Puerto Rican Electorate
In the current presidential election cycle, many analysts anticipate that Pennsylvania will serve as a key swing state, with Puerto Rican voters expected to play a crucial role among the state’s electorate. In 2020, it was Pennsylvania that helped Joe Biden surpass the required electoral vote count, and several commentators view it as a coveted state again this year. With the most electoral votes among swing states and a history of selecting the winning candidate, “There is no doubt – Pennsylvania will be vital in determining the presidency,” states ABC News. “It’s not just hype; it’s historical fact. Pennsylvanians have voted for the ultimate president in 10 out of the last 12 elections.” This sentiment is echoed by media outlets from U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg to CNN and The Villanovan.
Current surveys indicate a very tight race in the Keystone State, yet Hispanic voters display a different trend. Harris is leading among Latino voters in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Trump is actively seeking the Puerto Rican vote, as evidenced by his acknowledgment of reggaeton artists from the Island who endorsed him during a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
As Axios succinctly put it, “Puerto Ricans wield more political influence in the U.S. than ever before.” The outlet reports that recent surveys reveal Puerto Rican voters are focused on issues like the economy and climate change, while also emphasizing the need for food justice in Puerto Rico and a binding referendum on the Island’s political status.
The article Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania first appeared on PUERTO RICO REPORT.
