California is home to the nation’s largest Asian American and second largest Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) populations. A Community of Contrasts: Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in California, 2013 provides community organizations, policy makers, foundations, businesses, and others with important data on these diverse and rapidly growing communities.
The report provides data on over 30 ethnic groups, highlighting the social and economic diversity within Asian American and NHPI communities and shedding light on their needs. Some of the key findings are the following:
- Asian Americans and NHPI are the fastest-growing racial groups in California.
- Asian Americans and NHPI contribute significantly to the ninth-largest economy in the world through job creation, small business ownership, and consumer spending.
- Asian Americans and NHPI are shaping the political fabric of California through increased citizenship, voter registration, and political representation.
- Immigration continues to fuel growth in California’s Asian American and NHPI communities.
- Asian Americans and NHPI in California continue to face language barriers.
- The educational needs of Asian Americans and NHPI are diverse.
- Unemployment, poverty among Asian Americans and NHPI are on the rise.
- The housing crisis has also affected Asian Americans and NHPI.
- While Asian Americans and NHPI in California are disproportionately impacted by disease, many lack health insurance.
A Community of Contrasts: Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in California, 2013 was made possible by the generous support of the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, Cyrus Chung Ying Tang Foundation, and Bank of America.
