The Immigration–Crime Relationship: Evidence Across and Within Vancouver Census Tracts 2003–16

We evaluate the relationships between immigration and crime at the census tract level. Using multiple measures of immigration considering nuances of the immigrant population and a statistical technique allowing for the identification of long- and short-run effects, we provide further evidence of the negative relationship between immigration and crime. However, we note that these relationships are not monolithic. Similar to the original work on social disorganization theory, we find evidence for census tracts with increases in immigration have increased levels of crime because of restricted access to resources and initial settlement in high crime areas. However, over time, our results suggest that greater integration and the development of social capital (longer term immigration) is negatively associated with crime.