Insights from Census Data: Dynamics of Foreign-born Population in the US

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A recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau sheds light on the demographic trends of the foreign-born population in the United States, revealing significant patterns and shifts over the past twelve years.

Key findings indicate that more than half of the foreign-born individuals in the U.S. are concentrated in just four states: California, Texas, Florida, and New York. In 2022, this population was estimated at 46.2 million, constituting nearly 14% of the total U.S. population. Most states witnessed substantial double-digit percentage increases in their foreign-born populations during this period.

California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida stood out with foreign-born individuals making up over 20% of each state’s population, while West Virginia had the lowest rate at 1.8%.

While the report refrains from estimating the number of undocumented immigrants, it reveals that over half of the foreign-born population are naturalized citizens. European-born and Asian-born individuals lead in naturalization rates, with around two-thirds of their respective populations obtaining citizenship.

Furthermore, the foreign-born population has aged over the years, with the median age increasing to 46.7 years. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in educational attainment among foreign-born individuals, with three-quarters now holding at least a high school degree, reflecting positive trends in education within this demographic group.