US foreign-born population grew 15 percent in 12 years

The foreign-born population of the United States has grown by 15% in 12 years, according to new statistics. report The U.S. Census Bureau announced Tuesday.

In 2010, the country’s foreign-born population was approximately 40 million, representing 12.9 percent of the total population. That number has surged to 46.2 million people in 12 years and now accounts for 13.9 percent of the total population.

Those included in the foreign-born population are those residing in the country who are not U.S. citizens at birth, legal permanent residents, international students, refugees, and illegal immigrants.

From 2010 to 2022, the median age of the foreign-born population increased more than the native population.

The foreign-born population increased by five years, with the median age going from 41.4 to 46.7, while the mainland population increased slightly, from 35.9 to 36.9.

North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Delaware saw their foreign-born populations increase by more than 40 percent.

According to the report, the proportion of foreign-born people rose nearly five percentage points from 68.3% in 2010 to 75.1% in 2022.

Half of the country’s foreign-born population was from South America.

In four states, New Jersey, California, Florida, and New York, immigrants make up more than one-fifth of the state’s population. California ranked first with 26.5%, followed by New Jersey with 23.2%, New York with 22.6%, and Florida with 21.1%.

Nearly 50 percent of all immigrants entered the country before 2000.

Data are based on 1-year estimates and come from the American Community Survey (ACS).