A new report released by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that more than half of the foreign-born population in the United States resides in just four states: California, Texas, Florida, and New York. The foreign-born population, estimated at 46.2 million people in 2022, makes up almost 14% of the total U.S. population. Most states have seen double-digit percentage increases in their foreign-born populations over the past twelve years.
In states like California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida, foreign-born individuals represent more than 20% of the population, while in West Virginia, they make up only 1.8%. The report highlights that half of the foreign-born residents in the U.S. are from Latin America, although there has been a shift in their composition over the years. The number of individuals from Mexico has decreased, while those from South America and Central America have increased.
The share of the foreign population from Asia has also seen a slight increase, while the share of African-born individuals has gone up as well. Importantly, the report from the Census Bureau did not offer any estimates on the number of individuals in the U.S. illegally. However, it did reveal that more than half of the foreign-born population are naturalized citizens, with European-born and Asian-born individuals leading the way in naturalization rates.
As immigration continues to be a prominent issue during the 2024 presidential race, the Biden administration is facing challenges in managing the influx of migrants at the Southwest border. The report suggests that immigration is shaping the elections in a way that could impact the control of Congress, with Democrats seeking to address issues at the U.S.-Mexico border to win over voters.
The foreign-born population in the U.S. has also grown older in the past twelve years, with the median age increasing to 46.7 years. In addition, the education level of foreign-born individuals has improved, with three-quarters of the population now holding at least a high school degree. The data shows that around two-thirds of the foreign-born population came to the U.S. before 2010, indicating a long-standing presence in the country.
With the foreign-born population becoming older and more educated, the U.S. is experiencing demographic shifts that have implications for various aspects of society. As the country continues to grapple with immigration issues, the findings from the Census Bureau’s report shed light on the changing composition and characteristics of the foreign-born population in the United States.
