AAPI Demographics:a growing community

California, New York, and Texas have the largest AAPI populations in 2020

Hawaii, California, and Washington have the highest population % of AAPI

21 states including Ohio, North Carolina, and Minnesota have an AAPI population of over 250,000

Honolulu. Santa Clara. Alameda county. Queens. Aleutian West Census Area

A majority of U.S. counties have seen AAPI population growth over the last decade. The three counties with the largest number of AAPI are Los Angeles (California), Orange (California) and Honolulu (Hawaii). As of 2020, all U.S. counties have an AAPI presence.

The counties with the highest concentrations of AAPI are in Hawaii where all counties have AAPI population percentages over 60%. Counties with large AAPI communities outside of Hawaii are Santa Clara and Alameda Counties in California, Queens County in New York, and Aleutian West Census Area in Alaska.

While AAPI growth is assumed to occur in areas with existing community infrastructure, county demographic data show that the community is becoming more geographically diverse. This highlights the need to pay attention to smaller geographic areas of growth.

Los Angeles and Orange Counties (California) and Honolulu County (Hawaii) have the largest AAPI populations in both 2010 and 2020.

All Hawaiian counties are over 60% AAPI

All 3,243 U.S. counties and county equivalents have an AAPI population

A Closer Look at Growth

Demographic growth is important for a population. Demographic growth has strong impacts on a community. This section takes a closer look at the growth in the AAPI community.

Over 37% increase

of AAPI population from 2010 to 2020

Over 85% of U.S. counties

saw an increase to their AAPI population

Over 50% population growth

of AAPI population in 23 states including Dakota, Indiana, and the Carolinas

Representation

Representation matters and the AAPI community has historically and presently continues to be underrepresented in U.S. politics at all levels of government. When there is a gap in representation and the voices and needs of the community are not heard, harmful policies may be passed.

The trailblazers below, as well as many others, have been inspired to be a voice for the community and fight against harmful policies.

Dalip Singh Saund of California to the 85th Congress (1957)

Representative Patsy Mink, the first AANHPI woman and first woman of color elected to Congress

Senator Daniel Inouye, the first AANHPI president pro tempore of the Senate

Although the AAPI community remains underrepresented, there has been an increase in AAPI candidates and elected officials at all levels of government. Since 2001, AAPI representation in Congress has increased by over 150%. The current 118th Congress consists of 18 AAPI members, 16 Representatives from eight unique states and two Senators.

Formation of the Congressional Asian Pacific Caucus, 1994
In 2022, over 75 AAPI candidates ran for federal offices and over 200 candidates ran for state offices.

Asia Pacific Institute for Congressional Studies

Asian American voter turnout increased from 47% in 2008 to 59% in 2020.

US Census Bureau

  • Judy

    Chu

    the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress

  • Michelle

    Wu

    the first woman and person of color elected as mayor of Boston

  • Gary

    Locke

    the first AAPI governor of the contiguous United States

  • Kamala

    Harris

    the first woman and woman of color Vice President of the United States