The Urbanization of Native Americans: The Experience of Mixed Ethnicities in Los Angeles

Darcy W. Hango, Ohio State University
Paula A. Arriagada, Ohio State University

The urbanization of American Indians is one of the most significant demographic processes to affect this population in the twentieth century. The population of American Indians has also increased, a factor partially attributed to increasing American Indian self-identity, often measured through the number of people of mixed ancestry. I provide a brief summary of historical trends regarding the American Indian movement towards urban areas, then use the 1990 Census Public Use Microdata 5% sample to explore the recent socioeconomic experiences of American Indians in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is relevant because of the potential to study American Indian-Hispanic mixed ancestries. These preliminary findings suggest similar gender and education effects across groups, but that Other-Hispanic Indians may be more sensitive to contextual factors.