In 1992, Congress established May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to coincide with two key milestones: the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and Chinese workers’ pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad (completed May 10, 1869). The move expanded what had been Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week since 1978. In 2021, a presidential proclamation broadened it to include Native Hawaiians. This Facts for Features includes separate sections on the Asian and the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander populations, which the Office of Management and Budget in 1997 split into two race categories.  

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy. 

5.5 million

The estimated number of people of Chinese (except Taiwanese) descent in the United States in 2023. The Chinese (except Taiwanese) population was the largest Asian group, followed by Asian Indian (5.2 million), Filipino (4.6 million), Vietnamese (2.3 million), Korean (2.0 million) and Japanese (1.6 million). These estimates represent the Asian alone or in any combination population which includes those who reported one detailed response, such as Korean, and those who reported multiple responses, such as Korean and Vietnamese or Korean and Black or African American.

Source:

2.4%

The share of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population in 2023 who were military veterans.

Source:

56.6%

The share of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2023. 

Source:

89.1%

The share of the Asian alone or in combination population age 25 and older who had at least a high school diploma or equivalency in 2023.

Source:

650,680

The estimated number of Asian-owned firms with paid employees in the United States in 2022. 

Source:

Voting Rates

• Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2022
• Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2020
• Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2018
• Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2016

More Stats

A selected population profile of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population from the 2023 American Community Survey is available including statistics such as:

• Sex and age.
• Marital status.
• Employment status.
• Occupation.
• Commuting.
• Housing.
• Income.

1.8 million

The estimated number of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) alone-or-in-combination residents of the United States in 2023. 

Source:

693,679

The estimated number of Native Hawaiian residents of the United States in 2023. The Native Hawaiian population was the largest detailed NHPI group, followed by Samoan (268,539) and Chamorro (159,845). These estimates represent the NHPI alone or in any combination population which includes those who reported one detailed response, such as Native Hawaiian, and those who reported multiple responses, such as Native Hawaiian and Samoan or Native Hawaiian and Asian.

Source:

6.6%  

The share of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population in 2023 who were military veterans.

Source:

25.6%

The share of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older in 2023 who had a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

Source:

90.2%

The share of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older in 2023 who had at least a high school diploma or equivalency.

Source:

9,552

The estimated number of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander-owned U.S. firms with paid employees in 2022. 

Source:

A selected population profile of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population from the 2023 American Community Survey is available including statistics such as:

• Sex and age.
• Marital status.
• Employment status.
• Occupation.
• Commuting.
• Housing.
• Income.

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