Philippine City-Provinces with Significant Migration to the United States
- Robert
- May 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Cebu City and Province is widely recognized as one of the leading sources of Filipino migrants to the United States, outside of Metro Manila. Cebu has a long history of overseas migration, with many residents moving to the U.S. for work, family reunification, and educational opportunities. The province's strong English proficiency established diaspora networks, and economic ties have made it a prominent origin point for Filipino immigrants.
Other city provinces with significant numbers of residents who have migrated to the United States include:
Iloilo City and Province: Iloilo has a substantial overseas community, particularly in California and Hawaii, with many Ilonggos working in healthcare and other skilled professions.
Davao City and Province: Davao has seen increasing numbers of residents migrating to the U.S., often for professional opportunities or family reunification.
Pampanga (Angeles City and San Fernando): Pampanga is another major source of U.S.-bound migrants, especially among skilled workers and professionals.
While the search results do not provide province-specific breakdowns of U.S. Filipino migration, they confirm that Filipino immigrants are highly concentrated in California, Hawaii, Texas, Nevada, and Illinois124. These states have large Filipino American communities, many of whom trace their roots to provinces like Cebu, Iloilo, and Pampanga.
Supporting Context
California, especially the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas, is home to the largest Filipino immigrant communities in the U.S.1245.
Historic migration patterns show that early Filipino migrants to the U.S. came from the Visayas (including Cebu and Iloilo) and Central Luzon (including Pampanga), often as agricultural workers, nurses, or U.S. Navy recruits5.
Regional Filipino organizations in the U.S. often reflect these origins, with many Cebuano, Ilonggo, and Kapampangan associations active in major American cities.
Notable Neighborhoods and Cities:
Queens, NY: Woodside ("Little Manila"), Elmhurst, Jackson Heights
Jersey City, NJ: Manila Avenue, Journal Square
Bergenfield, NJ: Significant Filipino population in Bergen County
Virginia Beach, VA: One of the oldest and largest Filipino communities on the East Coast
Cherry Hill, NJ & Camden, NJ: Growing Filipino communities in the greater Philadelphia area
Silver Spring, MD & Oxon Hill, MD: Key suburbs for the Washington, D.C. Filipino community
Largest Filipino Population in NY and NJ
The largest Filipino communities in NY and NJ are made up of migrants from Iloilo, Cebu, Pampanga, Leyte, and other Visayan provinces. If you want to connect or learn more, the Filipinos of NY Facebook group and website are excellent resources and the heart of the Filipino community in the region. The most significant sources include:
1. Iloilo
Iloilo has a longstanding tradition of migration to the U.S., with many Ilonggos settling in NY and NJ. The presence of direct flight connections and established family networks has made Iloilo a major origin for Filipino communities in the region.
2. Cebu
Cebu is another prominent source, with many Cebuanos drawn to NY and NJ by professional opportunities, strong English skills, and family reunification.
3. Pampanga
Pampanga has produced a large number of skilled workers and healthcare professionals who have migrated to NY and NJ, attracted by job prospects and vibrant Filipino communities.
4. Leyte and Other Visayan Provinces
Leyte and other Visayan provinces (such as Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental) are also notable sources of migrants, with many residents joining relatives or seeking work in the U.S.
Filipino Communities in NY & NJ
New York City: The largest concentration of Filipinos is in Queens, especially in Woodside, Elmhurst, and Jackson Heights—areas collectively known as "Little Manila."
New Jersey: Jersey City has the largest Filipino population, with significant communities in Bergenfield, Paramus, Hackensack, New Milford, Dumont, Fair Lawn, and Teaneck.
Many Filipino migrants to these areas are professionals, especially in healthcare, reflecting the broader U.S. trend of Filipino nurses and medical workers migrating since the 1960s.
The largest Filipino Facebook community in New York is Filipinos of NY, which has over 90,000 members. This group is a central hub for Filipinos in the NY and NJ area, providing support, resources, and a sense of family for new and established migrants alike.
Facebook Group: Filipinos of NY and Filipinos of New Jersey.
Website: www.filipinosofny.com
This community is based in Little Manila in Woodside, Queens, and has been active since 2013. It not only connects Filipinos socially but also helps with job placements and community support across the East Coast and beyond.
Largest Filipino Population on the East Coast
New York: New York State, particularly New York City, has the largest Filipino population on the East Coast, with Queens (notably Woodside’s "Little Manila") serving as the cultural and community hub71.
New Jersey: New Jersey follows closely, with major Filipino communities in Jersey City, Bergenfield, and other parts of Bergen and Hudson counties21.
Virginia: Virginia—especially the Virginia Beach and Norfolk areas—hosts one of the largest and oldest Filipino communities on the East Coast, with deep historical roots dating back to the early 20th century61.
Maryland: Maryland has a significant Filipino population, particularly in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which also includes parts of Northern Virginia1.
Florida: Florida is home to a growing Filipino community, especially in the Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami metro areas1.
Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia metropolitan area, which includes parts of New Jersey and Delaware, also has a notable Filipino presence1.
The Filipino community in the United States is one of the largest and most vibrant Asian American groups, with significant population concentration in key states. Based on 2025 data, the top 10 U.S. states with the largest Filipino populations (by number of residents) are:
California – 1,705,090
Hawaii – 369,479
Texas – 231,992
Washington – 194,965
Nevada – 184,225
Florida – 178,012
Illinois – 174,442
New York – 160,566
New Jersey – 152,507
Virginia – 119,497
California leads by a wide margin, followed by Hawaii and Texas, with the rest of the top ten spread across the West Coast, South, and Northeast.
Comments