Hey AAJA’ers,

It’s time to start thinking about story ideas for Asian American Heritage Month in May.  To help you out, we’re listing the latest statistics from the U.S. Census bureau about Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S.  There are a lot of interesting numbers here that could help you enterprise some ideas:

Asians

15.5 million
The estimated number of U.S. residents in July 2008 who said they were
Asian alone or Asian in combination with one or more other races. This
group comprised about 5 percent of the total population.
Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733
.html>

5.1 million
The Asian population in California, the state that had the largest Asian
population on
July 1, 2008, as well as the largest numerical increase from 2007 to 2008
(105,000). New York (1.5 million) and Texas (956,000) followed in
population. In Hawaii, our nation’s only majority-Asian state, Asians made
up the highest proportion of the total population (54 percent). Asians were
the largest minority group in Hawaii and Vermont. Source: Population
estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

2.7%
Percentage growth of the Asian population between 2007 and 2008, the
highest of any race group during that time period. The increase in the
Asian population during the period totaled more than 400,000. Source:
Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733
.html>

3.62 million
Number of Asians of Chinese descent in the U.S. in 2008. Chinese-Americans
were the largest Asian group, followed by Filipinos (3.09 million), Asian
Indians (2.73 million), Vietnamese (1.73 million), Koreans (1.61 million)
and Japanese (1.30 million). These estimates represented the number of
people who were either of a particular Asian group only or were of that
group in combination with one or more other Asian groups or races.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$70,069
Median household income for single-race Asians in 2008.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Median household income differed greatly by Asian group. For Asian Indians,
for example, the median income in 2008 was $90,528; for
Vietnamese-Americans, it was $55,667. (These figures represent the
single-race population.)
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

11.8%
Poverty rate for single-race Asians in 2008, up from 10.2 percent in 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United
States: 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014
227.html>

17.6%
Percentage of single-race Asians without health insurance coverage in 2008,
not statistically different from 2007.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United
States: 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014
227.html>

Education

50%
The percentage of single-race Asians 25 and older who had a bachelor’s
degree or higher level of education. This compared with 28 percent for all
Americans 25 and older.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

85%
The percentage of single-race Asians 25 and older who had at least a high
school diploma. This compared with 85 percent for all Americans 25 and
older. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov>

20%
The percentage of single-race Asians 25 and older who had a graduate (e.g.,
master’s or doctorate) or professional degree. This compared with 10
percent for all Americans 25 and older.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Voting
600,000
How many more Asians voted in the 2008 presidential election than in the
2004 election. All in all, 49 percent of Asians turned out to vote in 2008
? up about 4 percentage points from 2004. A total of 3.6 million Asians
voted.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/013995.htm
l>

Businesses

Source for the statements referenced in this section, unless otherwise
indicated:
Asian-Owned Firms: 2002
<http://www2.census.gov/econ/sbo/02/sb0200csasian.pdf>

1.1 million
Number of businesses owned by Asian-Americans in 2002, up 24 percent from
1997. The rate of increase in the number of Asian-owned businesses was
about twice that of the national average for all businesses.

More than $326 billion
Receipts of Asian-American-owned businesses in 2002, up 8 percent from
1997. An estimated 319,468 Asian-owned businesses had paid employees, and
their receipts totaled more than
$291 billion. There were 49,636 Asian-owned firms with receipts of $1
million or more, accounting for 4 percent of the total number of
Asian-owned firms and nearly 68 percent of their total receipts.

In 2002, more than three in 10 Asian-owned firms operated in professional,
scientific and technical services, as well as other services, such as
personal services, and repair and maintenance.

2.2 million
Number of people employed by Asian-owned businesses. There were 1,866
Asian-owned firms with 100 or more employees, generating nearly $52 billion
in gross receipts (18 percent of the total revenue for Asian-owned employer
firms).

47%
Percentage of all Asian-owned firms that were either Chinese-owned or Asian
Indian-owned.

Nearly 6 in 10
Proportion of all Asian-owned firms in the United States in California, New
York, Texas and New Jersey.

112,441
The number of Asian-owned firms in New York City, which led all cities. Los
Angeles
(47,764), Honolulu (22,348) and San Francisco (19,639) followed.

28%
The proportion of Asian-owned businesses that were home based. This is the
lowest proportion among minority respondent groups. Source: Characteristics
of Businesses: 2002
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/business_ownershi
p/007537.html>

Languages

2.5 million
The number of people 5 and older who spoke Chinese at home in 2008. After
Spanish, Chinese was the most widely spoken non-English language in the
country. Tagalog, Vietnamese and Korean were each spoken at home by more
than 1 million people. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov>

Serving Our Nation

276,079
The number of single-race Asian military veterans. About one in three was
65 and older.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Jobs
48%
The proportion of civilian employed single-race Asians 16 and older who
worked in management, professional and related occupations, such as
financial managers, engineers, teachers and registered nurses.
Additionally, 22 percent worked in sales and office occupations, 16 percent
in service occupations and 11 percent in production, transportation and
material moving occupations.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

The ‘Net
73%
Percentage of Asians living in a household with Internet use ? the highest
rate among race and ethnic groups.
Source: Computer and Internet Use in the United States: October 2007
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/communication_ind
ustries/013849.html>

Counties

1.4 million
The number of Asians (self-identified as Asian alone or in combination with
one or more other races) in Los Angeles County, Calif., in 2008, which tops
the nation’s counties. Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

19,000
Santa Clara County, Calif.’s Asian population increase from 2007 to 2008,
the largest in the nation.  Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

58%
Percent of the population of Honolulu County, Hawaii, that was Asian in
2008, which led the country. Honolulu was the only majority-Asian county in
the nation. Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

Age Distribution

35.8
Median age of the single-race Asian population in 2008. The corresponding
figure was 36.8 years for the population as a whole. Source: Population
estimates <http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2008-asrh.html>

The Future

40.6 million
The projected number of U.S. residents in 2050 who will identify themselves
as Asian or Asian in combination with one or more other races. They would
comprise 9 percent of the total population by that year. Source: Population
projections
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496
.html>

162%
The projected percentage increase between 2008 and 2050 in the population
of people who identify themselves as Asian or Asian in combination with one
or more other races. This compares with a 44 percent increase in the
population as a whole over the same period of time. Source: Population
projections
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496
.html>

Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders

1.1 million
The estimated number of U.S. residents in July 2008 who said they were
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, either alone or in combination
with one or more other races. This group comprised 0.4 percent of the total
population. Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733
.html>

California had the largest population (282,000) in 2008 of Native Hawaiians
and Other Pacific Islanders (either alone or in combination with one or
more other races), followed by Hawaii (281,000) and Washington (55,000).
California had the largest numerical increase (6,000) of people of this
group. In Hawaii, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders comprised
the largest proportion (22 percent) of the total population. Source:
Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

2.4%
Percentage growth of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
population between
2007 and 2008 ? second to Asians among race groups. The increase in the
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population during the period
totaled about 26,000. Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013733
.html>

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$57,721
The median income of households headed by single-race Native Hawaiians and
Other Pacific Islanders.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

16.3%
The poverty rate for those who classified themselves as single-race Native
Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

18.5%
The three-year average (2006-2008) percentage without health insurance for
single-race Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders. Source: Income,
Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/income_wealth/014
227.html>

Education

15%
The percentage of single-race Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders
25 and older who had at least a bachelor’s degree. This compared with 28
percent for the total population.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

87%
The percentage of single-race Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders
25 and older who had at least a high school diploma. This compared with 85
percent for the total population. Source: 2008 American Community Survey
<http://factfinder.census.gov>

5%
The percentage of single-race Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders
25 and older who had obtained a graduate or professional degree. This
compared with 10 percent for the total population this age.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Businesses

Source for the statements referenced in this section: Native Hawaiian- and
Other Pacific Islander-Owned Firms: 2002
<http://www2.census.gov/econ/sbo/02/sb0200csnhpi.pdf>

28,948
Number of Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned businesses in
2002, up 49 percent from 1997. The rate of growth was more than three times
the national average. The 3,693 Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific
Islander-owned businesses with paid employees employed more than 29,000 and
generated revenues of $3.5 billion.

2,415
Number of Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned firms in
Honolulu.

$4.3 billion
Receipts for Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned businesses
in 2002, up 3 percent from 1997. There were 727 Native Hawaiian- and Other
Pacific Islander-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more. These
firms accounted for 3 percent of the total number of Native Hawaiian- and
Other Pacific Islander-owned firms and 67 percent of their total receipts.

In 2002, nearly 21,000 Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned
firms operated in health care and social assistance; other services (such
as personal services, and repair and maintenance); retail trade;
administrative and support and waste management and remediation services;
professional, scientific and technical services; and construction.

28
Number of Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned firms with 100
or more employees. These firms generated $698 million in gross receipts ?
20 percent of the total revenue for Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific
Islander-owned employer firms.

53%
Percentage of all Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned firms
in Hawaii and California. These two states accounted for 62 percent of
business revenue.

Serving Our Nation

26,810
The number of single-race Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
military veterans. About one in five was 65 and older. Source: 2008
American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Jobs
24%
The proportion of civilian employed single-race Native Hawaiians and Other
Pacific Islanders
16 and older who worked in management, professional and related
occupations, such as financial managers, engineers, teachers and registered
nurses. About the same percent worked in service occupations. Meanwhile, 28
percent worked in sales and office occupations and 14 percent in
production, transportation and material moving occupations. Source: 2008
American Community Survey <http://factfinder.census.gov>

Counties

179,000
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander population (alone or in
combination with one or more other races) in Honolulu County, Hawaii, in
2008, which led the nation. Among counties, Clark County, Nev. (home of Las
Vegas) had the largest numerical increase in this race since July 2007 ─
857. Hawaii County, Hawaii, had the highest percentage of people of this
race (30 percent). Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013734
.html>

Age Distribution

29.8
The median age of the single-race Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific
Islander population in 2008. The median age was 36.8 for the population as
a whole.
Source: Population estimates
<http://www.census.gov/popest/national/asrh/NC-EST2008-asrh.html>

The Future
2.6 million
The projected number of U.S. residents in 2050 who will identify themselves
as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian and Other
Pacific Islander in combination with one or more other races. They would
comprise 0.6 percent of the total population by that year. Source:
Population projections
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496
.html>

132%
The projected percentage increase between 2008 and 2050 in the population
of people who identify themselves as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific
Islander or Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander in combination with
one or more other races. This compares with a 44 percent increase in the
population as a whole over the same period of time.Source: Population
projections
<http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/012496
.html>

Following is a list of observances or activities typically covered by the
Census Bureau’s Facts for Features series:

• African-American History Month (February)
• Labor Day
• Super Bowl
• Grandparents Day
• Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14)
• Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
• Women’s History Month (March)
• Unmarried and Single Americans Week
• Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
• Halloween (Oct. 31)
• St. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
• American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
• Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May)      (November)
• Older Americans Month (May)
• Veterans Day (Nov. 11)
• Cinco de Mayo (May 5)
• Thanksgiving Day
• Mother’s Day
• The Holiday Season (December)
• Hurricane Season Begins (June 1)
• Father’s Day
• The Fourth of July (July 4)
• Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (July 26)
• Back to School (August)

Editor’s note: The preceding data were collected from a variety of sources
and may be subject to sampling variability and other sources of error.
Facts for Features are customarily released about two months before an
observance in order to accommodate magazine production timelines. Questions
or comments should be directed to the Census Bureau’s Public Information
Office: telephone: 301-763-3030; fax: 301-763-3762; or e-mail: pio@census.gov