US immigration has increased in recent years. However, the US is a large country, so what areas are most immigrants moving to, and where are they from? Recent studies from the Bush Institute and Migration Policy Institute can help shed some light on current immigration patterns.
Most US Immigrants are From Latin America and Asia
Mexico is the home country of the greatest number of immigrants in the US as of 2021, with an estimated 10.7 million people of Mexican origin in the country. India and China mark the second and third most common countries of origin, with 2.71 million and 2.38 million immigrants in the US respectively.
Other countries with large numbers of immigrants in the US include the Philippines at 1.98M, El Salvador at 1.42M, Vietnam at 1.34M, and Cuba at 1.28M.
Please note that these statistics reflect both immigrants who came to the United States legally, and those who are considered unauthorized.
Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants
| Country of Origin | Number of US Immigrants as of 2021 |
| Mexico | 10.7M |
| India | 2.71M |
| China | 2.38M |
| Philippines | 1.98M |
| El Salvador | 1.42M |
| Vietnam | 1.34M |
| Cuba | 1.28M |
| Dominican Republic | 1.26M |
| Guatemala | 1.11M |
| South Korea | 1.01M |
US Regions With the Greatest Numbers of Immigrants
Not surprisingly, states with large population centers are those where immigrants make up the largest share of the population. The states of New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida all have immigrant populations that make up more than 20% of the total population. In states such as Texas, Hawaii, and Nevada, immigrants make up 15-20% of the population.
Conversely, primarily rural states tend to see the lowest percentage of immigrant populations. For example, in states such as Missouri, Montana, Wyoming, and Ohio, immigrants make up less than 5% of the population.
US State Immigration Population Percentage
| State | Immigrant Population Percentage as of 2021 |
| California | 26.6% |
| New Jersey | 23% |
| New York | 22.3% |
| Florida | 21.2% |
| Hawaii | 18.7% |
| Nevada | 18.4% |
| Massachusetts | 17.6% |
| Texas | 17.2% |
| Maryland | 15.9% |
| Connecticut | 15.2% |
Immigrants are Moving to Different Places
In the past decade, immigrant populations have remained relatively stagnant in traditional immigrant strongholds such as New York and California, seeing growth at only about 3%. On the other hand, North Dakota – a state with a historically low number of immigrants – has seen its immigrant population grow 103% since 2010.
Other states that have seen immigrant populations grow from between 25% and 50% since 2010 include Washington, Minnesota, Idaho, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Why the change? According to the Bush Institute study, “Immigrants making secondary moves within the United States are disproportionately choosing the same places as native-born people – metros with relatively affordable housing and growth-friendly business and tax policies. Once there, they gravitate toward fast-growing suburban counties.”
Greatest Growth in Immigrant Population
| State | Immigrant Population Increase 2010-2023 |
| North Dakota | 103% |
| Delaware | 40.9% |
| South Dakota | 39.3% |
| Idaho | 32.5% |
| Kentucky | 29.5% |
| Washington | 29% |
| Minnesota | 28.8% |
| Nebraska | 28.8% |
| Tennessee | 28.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 27% |
| Indiana | 26.1% |
