In 2023, the Asian population in the United States hit a new high, reaching nearly 25 million individuals, making up approximately 7% of the total U.S. population. This marks a significant increase compared to previous decades, showcasing the remarkable growth and diversity of this demographic.
The Pew Research Center’s recent analysis highlights that the Asian community includes over two dozen origin groups, each with unique histories, cultures, and languages. These groups comprise Bangladeshis, Bhutanese, Burmese, Cambodians, Chinese, Filipinos, Hmong, Indians, Indonesians, Japanese, Koreans, Laotians, Malaysians, Mien, Mongolians, Nepalese, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Taiwanese, Thai, Uzbeks, and Vietnamese.
Asians in the U.S. are defined as individuals who identify their race as Asian or as a specific Asian group. However, this identification might not necessarily align with their country of birth or their parents’ country of birth.
In this analysis, the Pew Research Center utilized three main data sources to paint a comprehensive picture of the Asian population. The first source was from tabulations of a three-year dataset derived from public-use files of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 American Community Survey (ACS). These files were obtained through IPUMS from the University of Minnesota. The analysis also incorporated the 2000 decennial census to provide trends from prior years.
The second source included tabulations published by the U.S. Census Bureau from the ACS and the decennial census data. These tabulations are thought to be the most accurate estimates for the population in the respective years.
Lastly, the Pew Research Center conducted a nationally representative survey of Asian American adults, offering insights into their religious affiliations and cultural practices.
One key finding from the analysis indicates that the U.S. Asian population has more than doubled since the year 2000, expanding from 11.9 million to 24.8 million by 2023. This increase encompasses both U.S.-born and immigrant populations, reflecting a broad trend of demographic growth.
The share of Asians within the overall U.S. population rose from 4% in 2000 to 7% in 2023, reflecting a shift in the cultural landscape of the nation.
Chinese Americans emerged as the largest Asian origin group in the U.S., constituting 22% of the Asian population with approximately 5.5 million individuals. Following closely behind are Indian Americans, totaling around 5.2 million (21%), Filipino Americans at 4.6 million (19%), Vietnamese Americans at 2.3 million (9%), Korean Americans at 2 million (8%), and Japanese Americans at 1.6 million (7%). Together, these six groups represent a substantial 86% of the Asian demographic in the country.
Interestingly, the proportion of immigrants within the U.S. Asian population is witnessing a gradual decline. In 2000, immigrants accounted for 63% of the Asian demographic, whereas this percentage dropped to 54% by 2023. Among various origin groups, the Hmong community experienced the steepest decline in immigrant shares, dropping from 55% in 2000 to just 31% in 2023.
On the other hand, Thai individuals in the U.S. saw the smallest decrease, with their immigrant share falling slightly from 78% to 74% over the same period.
A majority of U.S. Asians—four in five—identify as Asian alone, excluding Hispanic identification. Multiracial identification is observed in approximately 16% of Asians, with Japanese (38%), Filipinos (21%), and Koreans (17%) being the most likely to identify as part of multiple racial backgrounds. Notably, 4% of Asian Americans identify as Hispanic.
When it comes to geographic distribution, California tops the list as the state with the largest Asian population in 2023, housing around 7.1 million individuals. Following California are New York and Texas with approximately 2 million each, New Jersey with 1 million, and Washington with about 990,000 residents. Collectively, over half (54%) of the U.S. Asian population resides within these five states.
Hawaii stands out as the only state with an Asian majority, boasting that 57% of its population identifies as Asian as of 2023. Other states with significant Asian shares include California (18%), Washington (13%), Nevada (12%), and New Jersey (11%).
The median age of Asian Americans was reported at 34.7 years in 2023, illustrating a younger demographic in contrast to the overall U.S. citizen median age of 38.0 years. However, median age significantly differs based on nativity, as Asian immigrants have a median age of 46.1 years, while U.S.-born Asians notably younger, with a median age of just 19.0 years.
Language proficiency remains a critical aspect of identity within the Asian American community. As of 2023, around 74% of U.S. Asians aged 5 and older are proficient in English, indicating that they either speak only English at home or assert proficiency in the language. This proficiency rate is significantly higher among U.S.-born Asians (95%) compared to that of Asian immigrants (59%).
A striking 63% of U.S. Asians reportedly speak languages other than English at home. Among these, the most frequently spoken languages include Chinese (9%), Filipino or Tagalog (8%), Vietnamese (7%), Korean (5%), and Hindi (4%).
For U.S.-born Asians, 68% speak only English at home; however, the number drastically falls to only 14% for Asian immigrants, who often communicate in their respective native languages, such as Chinese (13%) or Filipino (12%).
Educational attainment within the Asian American community also illustrates marked disparities. More than half of Asian adults aged 25 and older (56%) have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The level of educational achievement varies significantly across origin groups; for instance, 83% of Taiwanese adults hold a bachelor’s degree while only 18% of Laotians do.
When comparing U.S.-born and immigrant Asians aged 25 and older, the percentages having attained at least a college degree are close, sitting at 57% and 56%, respectively. These figures exceed the college graduation rates of the general U.S.-born and immigrant populations, which stand at 36% and 35% respectively.
In terms of economic status, the households led by Asian individuals had a median income of $105,600 in 2023—significantly higher than the overall median income for U.S. households at $75,500. However, there are notable differences in income based on origin groups. Indian- ($151,200) and Taiwanese-headed ($133,300) households reported higher median incomes than the average Asian-headed household.
In contrast, several other Asian origin groups reported lower median annual household incomes, with Mongolians reporting $54,300 and Burmese households at approximately $67,600.
Diving into religious affiliation, Christianity emerges as the most common faith among Asian American adults, accounting for 34% of the population. Other significant religious identities include Buddhism (11%), Hinduism (11%), Islam (6%), and other faiths (4%). The remaining 32% of individuals do not identify with any religion.
Examining religious preferences among the six largest Asian origin groups reveals notable distinctions: 74% of Filipino Americans identify as Christian, predominantly Catholic, while 59% of Korean Americans are Christian, primarily Protestant. Additionally, 57% of Chinese Americans and 47% of Japanese Americans do not identify with any religion. Meanwhile, 48% of Indian Americans practice Hinduism, and 37% of Vietnamese Americans identify as Buddhist, the highest share among the various origin groups.
This analysis underscores the complexity and richness of the Asian American experience in the United States, reflecting significant trends in demographic growth, educational attainment, and cultural diversity. As the Asian population continues to grow and diversify, it plays an increasingly vital role in shaping the social fabric of the nation.
This update marks an important reflection on the dynamic landscape of Asian Americans, highlighting both the progress and the challenges that persist within these communities.
image source from：https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/05/01/key-facts-about-asians-in-the-us/
