The United States has long been a beacon for immigrants seeking new opportunities and a fresh start. With over 70 million immigrants arriving since 1965, the U.S. has become the top destination globally for those moving from one country to another. Notably, about 18 million immigrants have made their way from Mexico, marking the largest wave of immigration from a single country to the U.S.
In 2022, the immigrant population in the U.S. hit a high of 46.1 million, comprising 13.8% of the total population, both legal and unauthorized immigrants combined. These immigrants trace their origins to countries all around the world, with the largest numbers hailing from Mexico and India. This is a significant shift from a century ago when the largest immigrant populations were from Germany and Italy in 1920.
A recent analysis by the Pew Research Center delves into how immigration patterns have evolved over time in the United States, state by state. Based on Census Bureau microdata from IPUMS USA, this analysis looks at the largest country of birth for immigrants in each state or territory from 1850 to 2022.
During the period from 1850 to 1880, Germany and Ireland dominated as the largest immigrant origin countries in most states and territories. However, by 1880, Chinese immigrants became the largest group in several western states. The next wave of immigration, from 1890 to 1919, saw a significant increase in arrivals from Eastern and Southern Europe, including Italy, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Poland.
In the years between World War I and World War II, the number of new immigrants declined, leading to stability in the largest immigrant groups in each state. Immigration patterns changed once again starting in 1965, with a new wave of immigrants arriving from Latin America and Asia. Mexico became a key source of immigrants, followed by China, India, and other Asian countries.
In the past few decades, changes in U.S. immigration laws and economic conditions have impacted the immigrant population composition. While Mexico remained a significant source of immigrants, Asian immigration has been on the rise since the early 2000s. The Great Recession slowed Mexican immigration, causing a shift in the immigrant population balance.
Today, Mexican immigrants remain the largest group in many states, with India making inroads as the top origin country in several. As immigration continues to shape the demographic landscape of the U.S., it’s clear that the tapestry of the American population is diverse and evolving.
