Unraveling the Effects of Residence in an Ethnic Enclave on Immigrants’ Travel Mode Choices

This article examines the relationship between immigrants’ residence in an ethnic enclave and use of alternative modes of transportation. Ethnic enclaves may offer stronger social networks, which may affect mode choice. Using the 2012–2013 California Household Travel Survey, I find that immigrants residing in ethnic enclaves have higher rates of household-external carpooling for nonwork trip purposes than immigrants residing outside ethnic enclaves. I find no difference in the rate of transit use, once built environment characteristics are taken into account. External carpools require arrangements between people in different households, and thus may reflect the social network effect of ethnic enclaves.