The U.S. Census Bureau recently released a report showing 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 total foreign-born population was estimated to be 46.2 million people in 2022, making up almost 14% of the U.S. population. Most states saw double-digit percentage increases in their foreign-born populations over the past twelve years, with California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida having foreign-born individuals make up over 20% of their populations.
Half of the foreign-born residents in the U.S. were found to be from Latin America, but the composition has changed over the years. The number of individuals from Mexico decreased by about 1 million people while those from South America and Central America increased by 2.1 million people. The share of the foreign-born population from Asia also increased, while the share from Africa saw growth as well. These demographic changes highlight the evolving composition of the foreign-born population in the U.S.
Immigration has become a prominent issue in the 2024 presidential race, with the Biden administration facing challenges in managing an influx of migrants at the Southwest border. The Census Bureau report did not provide estimates of the number of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. However, it revealed that more than half of the foreign-born population are naturalized citizens, with European-born and Asian-born individuals having higher rates of naturalization. Additionally, around two-thirds of the foreign-born population arrived in the U.S. before 2010.
The report also highlighted that the foreign-born population in the U.S. has grown older over the past twelve years, with the median age increasing by five years to 46.7 years. Moreover, there has been an increase in the educational attainment of the foreign-born population, with the percentage of individuals holding at least a high school degree rising from more than two-thirds to three-quarters. These demographic changes point to the aging and increasingly educated nature of the foreign-born population in the U.S.
As immigration continues to be a key issue, it is seen as shaping the 2024 elections and may impact the control of Congress. Democrats are working to address concerns surrounding immigration and border security as they try to garner support from voters. The changing demographics of the foreign-born population in the U.S. reflect broader trends in immigration patterns and the evolving makeup of American society. With ongoing debates and policy discussions surrounding immigration, it is essential to understand the demographic shifts and characteristics of the foreign-born population in the country.
