Where Are the Korean Americans?

The immigration of Korean people has been steady and substantial since the end of the Korean War.  In fact, at the time of 1970 there were about 70,000 people in the United States with a Korean heritage.  Since then the population has increased more than expected to be about 1.07 million people at the year 2000.  When one factors in those who are part Korean/Asian, the statistic rises to about 1.23 million.

So where do the majority of the Korean Americans reside?  Forty four percent of Koreans live in the West.  This compares to twenty two percent of the general population.  Nevetheless, the geography of where Koreans reside in the U.S. has changed in a big way since the 1960s.  The most interesting statisic regarding the number of Korean Americans are those who reside in the South.  The population of Koreans grew forty six percent between the years 1990 and 2000!

Even so, Koreans as a whole are still most noticeable in a few large city/urban centers.  Southern California still leads the way in this regard.  More than one quarter million Korean Americans live in the greater Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County-San Bernardina-Ventura metropolis.  The biggest population of Korean Americans is in New York City along with the surrounding northern New Jersey, southwest Connecticut, and eastern Pennsylvania regions.  It is a fact that the strongest majority of all Korean Americans in the United States reside in these particular areas.  However, Korean Americans can live where ever they choose nowadays without any hesitation.  After all, this is what it means to be an American- to be free to choose your own destiny!

Best regards from the East,

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.