This report from the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development highlights current levels of poverty among diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations across the United States. Data from the decennial census and the American Community Survey are used in the report. Among the findings in the report:
- From 2007 to 2011, the number of AAPI poor increased by more than half a million, representing an increase of 38% (37% increase for Asian Americans (AAs) in poverty and a 60% increase for Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders (NHPIs) in poverty). The general poverty population grew by 27%. The only other racial/ethnic group with a larger percentage increase was Hispanic, with a 42% increase.
- In terms of absolute numbers of people in poverty, the ethnic groups with the most people in poverty are Chinese (449,356), Asian Indian (246,399), Vietnamese (233,739), Korean (222,097) and Filipino (206,258). In terms of Poverty Rate, the communities with the highest concentrations of poverty are Hmong (27.0%), Bangladeshi (21.1%), Tongan (18.9%), Cambodian (18.8%) and Samoan (16.2%).
- Compared to the age profile of the general poverty population, the AA poor population is older with higher rates of senior poverty while the NHPI poor population is younger, with higher rates of children in poverty.
- The top 10 largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in terms of AA poor population contain over 50% of the entire population of AA poor. The top 10 largest MSAs in terms of NHPI poor population contain over 55% of all NHPI poor. By comparison, the top 10 largest populations in terms of overall poor population contain only 25% of the nation’s poor population.
- Almost 50% of all poor AAPIs (47% for poor AAs, 40% for poor NHPIs) live in the 20 most expensive real estate markets in the country. 17% of the general poverty population lives in the 20 most expensive housing markets.
Ignatius Bau 