About the study:
This report presents findings from a community-based survey conducted among 964 Congolese immigrants living in Washington State, aimed at understanding their experiences navigating healthcare and housing during the resettlement process. The data offer a detailed demographic snapshot of a young, multilingual, and highly educated population, many of whom are actively participating in the labor market while contending with systemic barriers tied to language and structural inequities.
• 66% of participants identified as male and 33% as female, reflecting household roles,
community engagement patterns, and who was more likely to complete the survey.
• Most respondents were between 25-44 years old, a working-age group typically engaged in employment, family-building, and resettlement efforts. Smaller proportions were in the 18-24 and 45+ age brackets, possibly due to mobility or barriers to participation.
• A large share of respondents (44%) held a college or university degree, and another 25% had some college or vocational training, reflecting high levels of human capital.
• Approximately 80% of respondents were employed, indicating strong workforce participation; however, the quality of these jobs and their alignment with individuals’ skills remain unclear.
• The majority of respondents have lived in Washington State for over one year, with 45% residing here for more than three years.
• Just under half of the respondents (49.2%) reported speaking English at home. The most spoken languages included French, Kikongo, Lingala, and Swahili. Many participants are multilingual, highlighting the community’s rich linguistic diversity.
• Both English-proficient and non-proficient groups showed similar demographic patterns.
Click here to read the full report.