Two Communities. Distinct Stories. One Stronger LA Economy.
New LAEDC report explores how Armenian and Iranian Angelenos are strengthening Los Angeles County’s economy—and where greater collaboration can create new opportunities.
What does it take to build a stronger Los Angeles economy?
It takes entrepreneurs willing to invest in their communities. Healthcare professionals caring for our residents. Educators preparing the next generation. Businesses creating jobs. And connections that link Los Angeles to markets around the world.
Across Los Angeles County, Armenian and Iranian Angelenos are helping make that happen.
LAEDC’s new Armenian & Iranian Economic Report, part of its Affinity Report Series, examines the distinct economic contributions of these communities and the opportunities they help create across the region.
The findings reveal a compelling story of entrepreneurship, workforce talent, and global connectivity—and a larger opportunity to turn existing strengths into greater regional prosperity.
Entrepreneurship That Powers Local Economies
Los Angeles County is home to approximately 191,800 residents of Armenian ancestry and 87,600 residents of Iranian ancestry, according to the report.
Across both communities, entrepreneurship stands out as a powerful economic driver.
Approximately 21.5% of Armenian workers and 29.6% of Iranian workers are self-employed, compared with 13.5% of workers countywide.
That entrepreneurial activity extends across construction, healthcare, real estate, retail, transportation, and professional services.
These are more than business statistics. They represent people building enterprises, serving customers, creating economic opportunity, and helping sustain commercial corridors throughout Los Angeles County.
Talent Strengthening Critical Industries
The report also documents the contributions Armenian and Iranian workers make to industries essential to the region’s competitiveness.
In healthcare, Armenian workers contribute across nursing, personal care, and clinical professions, while Iranian workers demonstrate a particularly strong presence in specialized clinical practice and healthcare entrepreneurship.
In education, both communities help prepare the next generation, contributing talent across K–12 schools, colleges, and universities.
And in professional and technical fields, their skills and expertise support businesses, institutions, and industries throughout the region.
As Ehsan Madadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at California State University, Long Beach, observes in the report:
“Los Angeles County does not have a shortage of talent. It has a challenge connecting talent to opportunity.”
That insight points toward one of the report’s most important findings: strengthening the economy requires not only recognizing talent, but creating better pathways for people to use it.
Local Contributions. Global Connections.
The economic influence of Armenian and Iranian Angelenos extends beyond neighborhood businesses and workplaces.
Through entrepreneurship, international relationships, trade, and cultural connections, these communities help connect Los Angeles County to opportunities around the world.
The report finds that in 2022, Los Angeles County accounted for approximately 22% of two-way U.S.–Armenia goods trade and 11% of two-way U.S.–Iran goods trade.
These connections reinforce an important regional advantage: Los Angeles is both a local economy and a globally connected marketplace.
Turning Research Into Regional Opportunity
The report also identifies challenges that can limit economic mobility and business growth, including access to capital, rising operating costs, workforce barriers, and the difficulty internationally trained professionals may face in transferring credentials into U.S. careers.
As Dr. Narineh Makijan, Assistant Vice President/Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC), writes:
“This research gives us both a mirror and a roadmap”
Her perspective reinforces the report’s larger purpose: understanding the strengths and challenges of these communities so that institutions can make better-informed decisions about workforce development, investment, and economic opportunity.
Potential opportunities include expanding career pathways, improving access to business resources, supporting entrepreneurship, and strengthening commercial corridors where businesses and communities intersect.
These findings provide a foundation for informed conversations, partnerships, and future economic development strategies.
One Region. A Stronger Economic Future.
The Armenian and Iranian communities have distinct histories, identities, and economic experiences. Together, their stories demonstrate how the many strengths of Los Angeles County contribute to a more dynamic and competitive regional economy.
As Scarlet Peralta, LAEDC’s Director of Industry Cluster Development, explains:
“When regional institutions listen to communities, understand their economic assets, and connect those assets to opportunity, the entire economy becomes stronger.”
Her message points toward the next step: ensuring those contributions are visible, valued, and connected to the strategies shaping Los Angeles County’s economic future.
Because a stronger Los Angeles economy is not created by any single community, industry, or institution.
It is built when we recognize the assets already here, connect them with purpose, and create opportunities for more people and businesses to thrive.
Coalition of One. Economy for All.
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