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Indian Americans now 2nd largest Asian group in US: Pew
The growth reflects a remarkable 174 percent increase since 2000, when the Indian American population stood at 1.8 million.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 07, May 2025
- 16:20 EDT
- 712
Indian Americans / Pew Research Centre
The Indian American community has become the second-largest Asian origin group in the United States, with an estimated population of 5.2 million in 2023.
According to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, Indian Americans now comprise roughly 21 percent of the Asian American population, just behind Chinese Americans, who account for 5.5 million.
Also Read: 4 in 10 Americans doubt Asian American loyalty to US: Survey
The growth represents a 174 percent increase from 2000, when the Indian American population was 1.8 million. This surge is attributed to sustained immigration and natural population growth over the past two decades.
Indian Americans, 5.2 million (21% of the Asian population) / Pew Research CenterDemographic shifts and regions
The composition of the Indian American community has evolved notably. In 2023, immigrants constituted 66 percent of the Indian American population, a decrease from 73 percent in 2000.
However, the absolute number of Indian immigrants more than doubled during this period, rising from 1.3 million to 3.2 million. Among these immigrants, 60 percent have resided in the U.S. for over a decade, and 51 percent have acquired U.S. citizenship through naturalization .
Indian Americans are predominantly concentrated in several key states. California hosts the largest population, with approximately 960,000 individuals, accounting for 20 percent of the Indian American community. Other states with significant Indian American populations include Texas (570,000), New Jersey (440,000), New York (390,000), and Illinois (270,000).
Metropolitan areas such as New York City, Dallas, and San Francisco are notable hubs for this demographic .
Education and economic indicators
Indian Americans exhibit high levels of educational attainment and economic success. In 2023, households headed by Indian Americans had a median annual income of $151,200, surpassing the overall Asian American median of $105,600.
Personal earnings for Indian Americans aged 16 and older averaged $85,300, significantly higher than the Asian American average of $52,400 .
Language proficiency and cultural practices
A substantial majority (84 percent) of Indian Americans aged five and older are proficient in English, with 28 percent speaking only English at home and 56 percent speaking another language at home but reporting high English proficiency. Commonly spoken languages within the community include Hindi (18 percent), Telugu (11 percent), Gujarati (10 percent), and Tamil (7 percent) .
Religiously, nearly half (48 percent) of Indian Americans identify as Hindu, making it the predominant faith within the community. Other religious affiliations include Christianity (15 percent) and a significant portion (15 percent) identifying as religiously unaffiliated, encompassing atheists, agnostics, and those with no particular religion .
The rapid growth and evolving demographics of the Indian American community have significant implications for U.S. society, including contributions to the economy, cultural diversity, and political landscape.
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