Asian population grows across U.S., including Illinois
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Illinois' share of Asian Americans is slightly lower than the national rate.
The big picture: The Asian American population has more than doubled since the turn of the century, according to Pew Research.
- Nearly 25 million Asian Americans live in the U.S. as of 2023.
- Chinese Americans are the largest Asian population in the U.S.
By the numbers: In 2023, nearly 895,000 people in Illinois identified as Asian.
- That's 7.1% of the population, slightly below the national rate of 7.4%.
Zoom out: Hawaii is the only state with an Asian majority, with 57%, followed by California, with 18%.
Reality check: Asian Americans were the fastest-growing ethnic group in Chicago in 2020.
Flashback: The 2022 redistricting map made the 11th ward, including Bridgeport and Chinatown, the city's first Asian majority ward.
- Asian representation on the City Council hit its highest point (4%) with the election of Nicole Lee in the 11th and Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth in the 48th ward.
Zoom in: Chicago's Chinatown hasn't been as threatened by development and displacement as other cities, but other Asian communities are worried about their businesses and are trying to promote them.
Case in point: State Rep. Hoan Huynh and Comptroller Susana Mendoza recently put out a video showing the restaurants and businesses along Asia on Argyle, which has large concentrations of Chinese, Vietnamese and Cambodian immigrants.