The races need abit of work

[Mikebrowski]

Why didnt you just call some of the Dwarfs goblins? and where are the elfs and what influences what races join you?

[deMangler]

In the citizens tab there is a lot of information about why races might join you.
There are info and properties sub-tabs that are helpful. Clicking on the Population/Food/Services, etc sections brings up even more info. Also you can mouse-over the green or red bars in the graphs to see what they are happy or unhappy about.
This is a good way to get an overview.
Then try things out and see what it does.
There are other ways to specifically find out what might be making a difference, for example you can also click on individual people to see what they are unhappy about.

[Mikebrowski]

For some reason goblins keeps joining while I am trying to get the dwarfs and humans. Im building stone stuff which is what they like its not quite understandable

[Agagamemnon]

"Dwarves" seem a bit difficult to attract. Stone buildings are not enough : they also like to work as crafts or miners and to live under the mountain - which you can achiee buy digging into said mountains then building shops & livings in the caves.

[fortydayweekend]

Services are the easiest way to attract more migrants I think. Is there anything they are lacking?

Then fulfiment from work, in my mainly human town I find it helped to increase dwarf priority for carpenters and tailors early on and this gave a big boost to immigration.

How high are their lighting/awe etc bonuses? If not full you could add more torches and statues.

Food pref is important, do you have enough fish and meat in their local eateries?

You can increase the food/drink/clothing allowances for different races to attract more of those migrants (but need to have good supply chains obviously so I'd do that last)

I'm not 100% sure but I think building prefs like stone or the shape of buildings are way down the list of importance with really small bonus amounts.