U.S. Census: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May 2026

Apr 21, 2026 | -

In 1992, Congress established May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to coincide with two key milestones: the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and Chinese workers’ pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad (completed May 10, 1869). The move expanded what had been Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week since 1978. In 2021, a presidential proclamation broadened it to include Native Hawaiians. This Facts for Features includes separate sections on the Asian and the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, which the Office of Management and Budget in 1997 split into two race categories.

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we measure America’s people, places and economy.

Asian Population

26.8 million – The estimated number of Asian alone-or-in-combination residents in the United States in 2024.

5.8 million – The estimated number of people of Chinese (except Taiwanese) descent in the United States in 2024. The Chinese (except Taiwanese) population was the largest Asian group, followed by Asian Indian (5.6 million), Filipino (5.0 million), Vietnamese (2.4 million), Korean (2.2 million) and Japanese (1.7 million). These estimates represent individuals who reported a specific detailed Asian group alone as well as those who reported that detailed Asian group in combination with one or more other detailed Asian groups or other race(s).

2.4% – The share of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population in 2024 who were military veterans.

57.7% – The share of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and over who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2024

89.7% – The share of the Asian alone or in combination population age 25 and over who had at least a high school diploma or equivalency in 2024.

684,916 – The estimated number of Asian-owned firms with paid employees in the United States in 2023.

To read the entire press release: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2026/asian-american-pacific-islander.html

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