PewResearch Hispanic Center

U.S. Immigrant Population Trends

The United States is the world’s leader as a destination for immigrants.

2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS) for U.S. and 2010 World Bank estimates for all others.

40.4 millionUnited States

12.3 millionRussia10.8 million

Germany

7.3 millionSaudi Arabia

7.2 millionCanada

A record 40.4 million immigrants lived in the U.S. in 2011.

87% Native-born citizens

13% Foreign-born immigrants

Percent of total U.S. population

The foreign-born share of the population peaked at just under 15% from 1890 to 1920.

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2008 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics.

Since 2000, the immigrant population has increased by 30%.

2000 2007 2011

Immigrant population and unauthorized immigrant population estimates based on separate data sets. See Pew Research Hispanic Center, “A Nation of Immigrants,” Jan. 29, 2013.

11.112.0

38.0

8.4 million

40.4

31.1 million

Total U.S. immigrant population continues to grow ...

... while unauthorized immigration slows

Nearly half of all U.S. immigrants are naturalized citizens.

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

45%Naturalized

U.S. citizens55%Not citizens

Six-in-ten U.S. immigrants live in just five states...

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

1 California10.2 million immigrants

25% of all immigrants

3 Texas4.2 million immigrants10% of all immigrants

4 Florida3.7 million immigrants9% of all immigrants

2 New York4.3 million immigrants11% of all immigrants

5 New Jersey1.9 million immigrants5% of all immigrants

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2000 Census (5% IPUMS) and 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

...but five other states have seen the fastest growth since 2000.

2 South Carolina222,000 immigrants88% growth

5 North Carolina708,000 immigrants64% growth

1 Kentucky143,000 immigrants97% growth

4 Wisconsin275,000 immigrants73% growth

3 Mississippi68,000 immigrants74% growth

Mexico is the largest source country of U.S. immigrants...

29% Mexico

25% South & East Asia

4% Middle East

19% All others

9% Caribbean

7% South America

8% Central America

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

Mexico

India

Philippines

China

All others

11.7 million

23.4 million

1.7 million

1.8 million

1.9 million

...with nearly 12 million Mexican immigrants in the U.S.

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

Percent of immigrants arriving...

Most U.S. immigrants arrived in the U.S. before 2000.

1990 2000 2011

38%

2720

16

Before 1990 1990-1999 Since 2000

‘00-’05‘06 or later

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

45

The median age of U.S. immigrants is 42.

35 4030

Median age of...

Mexican-bornimmigrants

42 yearsAll immigrants

35

38 43

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

South & East Asian-born immigrants

All U.S. born

While most foreign-born children are English proficent, only about half of adult immigrants are English proficent.

Ages 5-17

Ages 18+

72%28%

52 48

LESS THAN VERY WELL VERY WELL/ONLY ENGLISH AT HOME

Percent of foreign-born immigrants who speak English...

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

16% of all immigrants ages 5 and older speak only English at home.

Most immigrant adults are high school graduates...

69%At least high school diploma or equivalent

31%Less than high school diploma

Percent of foreign-born adults ages 25 and older...

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

...and about a quarter of immigrant adults are college graduates.

Attained a bachelor’s degree or more

(ages 25 and older)

Enrolled as undergraduate, graduate

or professional student (ages 18-24)

24%

27%

26

39

The rates of college attainment and enrollment have been on the rise since 2000.

2011

2000

2011

2000

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2000 Census (5% IPUMS) and 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

Median household income is lower among the foreign born than the native born...

But is higher among South-East Asian immigrants than the native born.

Native born $50,000

Foreign born $45,000

Mexican born $34,000

Among the foreign born:

Among households headed by someone who is:

South & East Asian born $65,000Born elsewhere $45,900

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

The poverty rate of immigrants is higher than that of the native born.

Foreign born

Mexican born

South & East Asian born

Born elsewhere

Native born

20%

29

13

17

15

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

A third of the foreign born do not have health insurance.

Percent in the U.S. who have...

NATIVE BORN FOREIGN BORN

13%no health insurance

87%have health insurance

66%have health insurance

34%no health insurance

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)

Immigrant householders are less likely than native-born householders to own their homes.

Foreign born

Mexican born

South & East Asian born

Born elsewhere

Native born

51%

45

57

52

67

Pew Research Hispanic Center tabulations of 2011 American Community Survey (1% IPUMS)