The Asian American Population Profile provides detailed data summaries about many chronic diseases, conditions, and related factors impacting Asian American health in the United States.
This page provides an overview of the Asian American population and the non-medical drivers of health that influence the health status and outcomes of Asian Americans. Many factors that affect health happen outside the healthcare system. Where people live, learn, work, and grow up all play an important role in health status and health outcomes. These are known as non-medical drivers of health. They include things like income, education, safe housing, access to healthy food, and reliable healthcare. By understanding these broader influences, we can address the root causes of chronic disease and implement innovative, evidence-based interventions that enhance the well-being of Asian Americans and support better health for all Americans. Visit Healthy People 2030 to learn more about non-medical drivers of health.
All data on this page are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates as of February 2026 and reflect estimates for non-Hispanic populations, unless otherwise specified. For more detailed population estimates and 2020 Census information, please visit data.census.gov.
Data Collection and Reporting for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Populations
Federal data collection and reporting practices have often combined Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander data. When possible, data for the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations are reported separately. Practices that support the collection and reporting of data by more granular groups, such as the standards in the Office of Management and Budget’s revised Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, can help reveal the unique health status and needs within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities, which include dozens of distinct ethnic groups that speak over 100 different languages and dialects.
Asian American Population Information
Asians and Asian Americans are a group of people having origins in any of the original peoples of Central or East Asia, or South Asia, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
In 2024, an estimated 19.7 million people in the United States identified as non-Hispanic Asian Americans alone, representing about 5.9% of the total U.S. population. In 2024, the ten U.S. states/territories with the largest populations of Asian Americans were:
- Hawaii (36.4%)
- California (15.3%)
- New Jersey (10.0%)
- Washington (9.7%)
- New York (9.0%)
- Nevada (8.8%)
- Massachusetts (7.3%)
- Virginia (6.9%)
- Maryland (6.5%)
- Alaska (6.4%)
In 2023, Asian Americans had the highest life expectancy at birth among all racial and ethnic groups. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average estimated life expectancy at birth for Asian Americans was 85.2 years (87.1 years for women and 83.2 years for men), compared to 78.4 years for all races. In 2023, the five leading causes of death among Asian Americans in the United States were cancer, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries, and diabetes.
In 2024, 12% of Asian American adults reported being in fair or poor health.
In 2024, an estimated 94% of Asian Americans had health insurance coverage, compared to 92% of the total U.S. population. About 6% of Asian Americans had no health insurance coverage, compared to 8% of the total U.S. population.
How does health insurance coverage impact overall health?
A lack of health insurance can prevent individuals from seeking out routine and preventive healthcare services. This could delay medical attention when needed or may require use of emergency services for meeting healthcare needs, which can be more expensive. People without insurance are less likely to have a primary care provider, and they may not be able to afford the healthcare services and medications they need.
In 2024, an estimated 72% of Asian Americans age 5 years and older spoke a language other than English at home with nearly 30% speaking English “less than very well.”
How does language fluency impact our overall health?
People with limited English proficiency may have trouble receiving, understanding, and following medical advice or instructions for their conditions. When a patient feels that they can’t communicate with a provider because of language or cultural barriers, it can lead to receiving inadequate health services or avoiding care altogether.
In 2024, an estimated 88% of Asian Americans age 25 years and older had a high school diploma or higher (90% for males and 87% for females), compared to nearly 90% of the total U.S. population. About 58% of Asian Americans adults had a bachelor's degree or higher (59% for males and 56% for females), compared to 36% of the total U.S. population.
How does education impact overall health?
Access to quality education plays a significant role in health outcomes. Education helps people understand health information and make informed decisions about their health and use of the healthcare system. People with lower educational attainment may have difficulty securing stable, well-paying jobs which can make it harder for them to afford and access health insurance and quality care.
In 2024, the estimated median 12-month income for Asian American households was $116,503, compared to $80,734 for all U.S. households – the highest compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Nearly 10% of Asian American families were experiencing poverty, compared to about 13% of U.S. families. The unemployment rate for Asian Americans was about 4%, compared to 5% for the total U.S. population.
How does economic stability impact overall health?
Economic stability includes key issues, such as poverty, employment, and housing stability. People living in poverty are less likely to have access to health care, healthy food, stable housing, and opportunities for physical activity. These disparities mean people living in poverty or experiencing economic instability are more likely to be diagnosed with and experience worse outcomes from preventable diseases.
Suggested Map Citation: "Hispanic or Latino Origin by Race." American Community Survey, ACS 5-Year Estimates Detailed Tables, Table B03002, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDT5Y2024.B03002?q=United+States&g=010XX00US,$0400000&y=2024. Accessed on 02 Feb 2026
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026