The Asian American population is now 25 million strong

The Asian American population has reached a record high of 24.8 million, more than doubling since 2000, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Asian Americans now make up 7.4% of the national U.S. population, up from 4.2% two decades ago. The substantial growth is accompanied by significant demographic shifts in origin, immigration status and racial identification that reflect a population in transition.

Despite the diversity of the U.S. Asian population — which includes more than 20 distinct origin groups — the majority is concentrated in six communities. Chinese Americans are the largest, with 5.5 million people making up 22% of all Asian Americans. They are followed by Indian Americans (5.2 million, 21%), Filipino Americans (4.6 million, 19%), Vietnamese Americans (2.3 million, 9%), Korean Americans (2.0 million, 8%) and Japanese Americans (1.6 million, 7%). Combined, these six groups represent 86% of the U.S. Asian population.

Immigrants still make up a majority of Asian Americans, but their share has declined notably — from 63% in 2000 to 54% in 2023. Most Asian origin groups have experienced this shift. Hmong Americans saw the steepest drop, from 55% immigrant in 2000 to just 31% in 2023. Thai Americans had the smallest change, with immigrant representation falling slightly from 78% to 74%. These patterns indicate a growing share of second- and third-generation Asian Americans born in the U.S.

As of 2023, 80% of Asian Americans identified their race as Asian alone and not Hispanic. Another 16% identified as multiracial and non-Hispanic, while 4% identified as Asian and Hispanic. Multiracial identity is more common among Japanese (38%), Filipino (21%) and Korean (17%) Americans. Among those who identify as Hispanic, Filipinos (7%) and Japanese (6%) have the highest shares within the six largest origin groups.

More than half (54%) of Asian Americans reside in five states: California (7.1 million), New York (2 million), Texas (2 million), New Jersey (1 million) and Washington (990,000). Hawaii remains the only U.S. state where a majority of residents — 57% — are Asian. Other states with high proportions include California (18%), Washington (13%), Nevada (12%) and New Jersey (11%).

The Pew report paints a picture of a population that is not only increasing in size but also evolving in character. As U.S.-born generations expand, multiracial identity becomes more common and geographic patterns shift, Asian Americans continue to shape — and be shaped by — the broader American experience.