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| PEW ILLUSTRATION |
In the 1970s when the Japanese, Chinese and Filipino students on US campuses coalasced around being Asian American, little did they foresee the hurdles they would encounter in their own fast-changing ethnic communities.
Fast forward to today, because of the population shift from US-born Asians as the majority to a population where recent immigrants are in the majority, the more than two-dozen nationalities and ethnic groups would prefer to do away with the umbrella, all-inclusive term "Asian American" and be seen as separate communities such as Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, etc. -- each with unique history, cultures, languages and other characteristics.
Unfortunately, the Pew analysis did not include Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
Despite the diffeerences in self-identity, both new immigrants and US-born Asians see commonalities with other Asians. About 60% of Asians say what happens to other Asians affects them, and more than two-thirds believe it's very or extremely important to have a national leader advocating for Asians in the US.
Fast forward to today, because of the population shift from US-born Asians as the majority to a population where recent immigrants are in the majority, the more than two-dozen nationalities and ethnic groups would prefer to do away with the umbrella, all-inclusive term "Asian American" and be seen as separate communities such as Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, etc. -- each with unique history, cultures, languages and other characteristics.
FYI: Read Pew's findings about Asian Americans
When combined, US-born and recent immigrants, the Asian population is nearly 25 million, or 7% of the US population.
An annual survey released in conjunction with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Pew Research Center found that the ethnic and national communities in the Asian American communities with roots in Central, East, South and Southeast Asia, is more complicated, more diverse representing more than two dozen countries of origin.
When combined, US-born and recent immigrants, the Asian population is nearly 25 million, or 7% of the US population.
An annual survey released in conjunction with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Pew Research Center found that the ethnic and national communities in the Asian American communities with roots in Central, East, South and Southeast Asia, is more complicated, more diverse representing more than two dozen countries of origin.
Unfortunately, the Pew analysis did not include Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.
The differences between Americanized Asians (those born in the US and those who have lived here for more than 10 years is constantly changing as a constant stream of newcomers arrive on US shores and earlier immigrants become more accustomed to the America's realities such as race relations, family values and political realities.
Recent immigrants are more likely than US-born Asians to describe themselves using specific ethnic labels and are less likely to use some form of "American" when referring to their identities. To them, their country of origin is more central to their identity than identifying as "American."
Recent immigrants are more likely than US-born Asians to describe themselves using specific ethnic labels and are less likely to use some form of "American" when referring to their identities. To them, their country of origin is more central to their identity than identifying as "American."
RELATED: Asian communities may have outgrown the term "Asian American"
The AAPI populations continues to grow. The 25 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders now making up to 7% of the US population. The majority of AAPI is made up the six largest groups with Chinese Americans still the largest group with 5.5 million making up 22% of the total Asian population.
The next five largest groups are: Indian Americans, 5.2 million (21% of the Asian population); 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%).
The Pew Research Center created fmore detailed act sheets for the six largest ethnic Asian American communities: Chinese Americans, Indian Americans, Filipino Americans, Vietnamese Americans, Korean Americans and Japanese Americans.
In the Pew treasure trove of AAPI facts, another interesting trend appears to be happening. Immigration, which made AAPI the fastest growing segment of the US population for the last few decades appears to be slowing down. In several groups, such as Filipino Americans and Hmong Americans, immigrants are no longer are in the majority. Japanese Americans have historically dominated by the US-born. The downward trend, however, can be seen in all groups as AAPI immigrants settle into the US and establish communities, businesses and and feel more economically secure, they establish families. The children of those immigrants join the ranks of the US-born.
If the trend continues and the AAPI communities become more assimilated, and as the second-generation become more influential and dominant, there might be a shift back to identifying Asian American for the sake of gaining political clout and cultural prominence.
Nevertheless, as of 2025, immigrants still make up the majority of AAPI. Taking into account the natural birth rate of the combined US-born and immigrant population adding to the AAPI newcomers traveling across the Pacific or as immigrants through a third country, the AAPI community is still the fastest growing ethnic segment of the US population, surpassing the growth rate of Latino Americans, or Hispanic Americans.
The diversity among AAPI groups is also notably reflected in household income. While overall, AAPI households, immigrant and US-born, have higher incomes ($105,600) than other Americans ($75,500) the AAPI also have the widest income gap. Indian American households have the hihghest median income ($151,200), Mongolians median household income is only $54,200.
Part of the wide diversity in household income is due to the United States' immigration policies that prefers highly-educated, high-skill immigrants and -- up until the Trump administration -- was lenient towards refugees.
Besides income potential, the results also shows up in education attainment. AAPI have the largest percentage of adults, immigrants and US-born, with a bachelor degrees, (57% and 56% respectively) compared to other Americans, US-born (38%) and immigrants (35%).
RELATED: Despite the wealth of information provided the Pew Research Center, available for the general public, journalists, academics, marketers and pollsters, the Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the US, (STAATUSindex) a separate survey commissisoned by The Asian American Foundation, found that stereotypes continue to persist as the general image of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.
The annually updated Pew fact sheet for AAPI goes on to provide useful information on the population centers, political, gender, generational and religion proclivities of the AAPI communities..
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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