Editing Immigration Wave 1870-1920 (section)

== Legacy ==

The immigration wave of 1870-1920 created the Philadelphia that existed through most of the 20th century—a city of ethnic neighborhoods, each with its distinctive character and institutions. The Italian Market, Polish churches of Port Richmond, Jewish delis of the Northeast, and Irish bars of Grays Ferry all reflect this heritage. The decline of immigration after 1924 meant that these communities aged without being renewed by new arrivals; by mid-century, the grandchildren of immigrants were moving to suburbs, and the old ethnic neighborhoods were changing. New immigration from Asia, Latin America, and other regions has transformed Philadelphia's demographics since the 1965 immigration reform, creating new ethnic communities alongside the remnants of the older ones. The 1870-1920 immigration wave remains foundational to understanding Philadelphia's neighborhoods, its culture, and its identity.<ref name="weigley"/>