Chinese Americans

The Chinese were among the first to immigrate to the United States during the California gold rush and today are the largest population (23%) of Asian Americans. Early immigrants from China were largely male laborers, and immigration was curtailed by anti-Chinese laws beginning in the late 1880s. More recent immigrants over the past four decades include large numbers of educated professionals.

Full Report: The Rise of Asian Americans
Maps: Explore Asian-American Population Data
Interactive: Demographics by Asian Origin Group

SOURCES: 2010 American Community Survey and other Census Bureau data; Pew Research Center 2012 Asian-American Survey

NOTE: Census data based on mixed-group and mixed-race populations, regardless of Hispanic origin. For Census figures, Chinese includes Taiwanese. Data on characteristics of Chinese and Taiwanese adults are not available separately. For Pew Research survey findings, respondents with more than one Asian heritage are classified based on the group with which they “identify most.” Respondents who identified as Taiwanese or Chinese Taipei are classified as Chinese Americans.