Resources:
- Power, Pain, Potential: South Asian Americans at the Forefront of Growth and Hate in the 2016 Election Cycle (2017)
- Community Guide on Hate Crimes (2016)
- Current Status of Immigration Policy (2016)
- A Demographic Snapshot of South Asians in The United States (2015)
- Affordable Care Act Fact Sheet for South Asians (October 2013)
- In the Face of Xenophobia:Lessons to address the bullying of South Asian American youth (2013)
- A Demographic Snapshot of South Asians in The United States: Based Primarily on Census 2010 Data (2012)
- Demographic Characteristics of South Asians in The United States: Emphasis on Poverty, Gender, Language Ability, and Immigration Status’ (2000)
Quick Facts
About South Asians in the US
- There are over 4.3 million South Asians in the US.
- Since 2000 the South Asian community as a whole grew 81% over a ten year period.
- The four largest South Asian groups in America are the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan communities.
Where do South Asians in the US live?
- South Asians live primarily in metropolitan areas on the East and West coasts. The metropolitan areas with the largest South Asian population are: New York/New Jersey, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Washington DC Metro Area.
- In New York City, the Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities are among the six largest Asian American groups.
- South Asians were also the fastest growing Asian group in California in 2000.
- There are sizable emerging populations in various parts of the United States, including Houston, Atlanta, and Seattle.
Immigration Status, Naturalization, English Proficiency
- Over three-quarters of the South Asian population is foreign-born
- 30% of South Asians are naturalized
- 45% of South Asians are not naturalized
- Indians were the fastest growing undocumented community in the United States between 2000 and 2006
- According to the 2000 US Census, 1/3 of South Asians living between 50%-125% of the poverty line are children. Nearly two-thirds of Bangladeshi seniors live below 200% of the poverty line
- Limited English Proficient (LEP) denotes individuals whose ability to read, write, speak or understand English is rated less than “very well”. Nearly half of Bangladeshis, a third of Pakistanis and a quarter of Indians are LEP.