The proportion of Korea-born individuals within the U.S. Korean population has seen a notable decline, signaling a significant demographic shift within the Korean-American community.
According to the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (2019–2023) released by the U.S. Census Bureau on December 12, the total Korean population in the U.S., including multiracial individuals, reached 1,998,698, nearing the 2 million mark. This represents an 8.5% increase from the 1,842,251 reported in the previous ACS data for 2014–2018.
However, the proportion of U.S.-based Koreans born in South Korea has dropped to 51.4%, meaning only one in two Korean Americans is now Korea-born. This marks a significant shift from five years ago, when 57.1% of Korean Americans were born in South Korea — a decline of 5.7 percentage points. At that time, nearly three out of five Korean Americans were Korea-born, but that figure has since fallen to just over half.
California remains home to the largest Korean population in the U.S., with 565,921 Korean residents. This marks an increase of 26,326 from the previous total of 539,595 five years ago.
However, regional migration within the state is notable. In Los Angeles County, the Korean population declined from 232,622 to 224,630. Meanwhile, neighboring Orange County saw an increase, with its Korean population growing from 102,274 to 116,566.
The ACS also released estimates on broader population and socioeconomic data. The total U.S. population was reported at 332.4 million, a 2.9% increase from 322.9 million recorded five years ago. The total number of housing units rose to 82.9 million, an 8.4% increase from 76.4 million five years prior.
Over the last five years, the median household income in the U.S. reached $78,538, reflecting a 7% rise from 2014–2018. The national poverty rate also saw a decline, dropping from 14.1% to 12.4% over the same period.
BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
