NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
The Indian American population in the United States has grown to an estimated 5.2 million in 2023, according to a new update on a Pew Research Center analysis based on U.S. Census Bureau data. Indian Americans now make up about 21% of the nation’s Asian population, making them the second-largest Asian origin group in the country.
The report, which draws on data from the 2021-23 American Community Survey, highlights the dramatic growth of the Indian population over the past two decades. Since 2000, the number of Indian Americans has surged by 174%, from 1.8 million to 4.9 million people who identify as Indian alone or in combination with other races or ethnicities.
Immigration remains a key driver of this growth. Two-thirds of Indian Americans in 2023 were born outside the U.S., although this decreased from 73% in 2000 to 66% in 2023. However, the number of Indian immigrants has grown significantly—from 1.3 million in 2000 to 3.2 million in 2023.
Geographic Hotspots and Age Trends
California is home to the largest share of the Indian population, with around 960,000 Indian Americans residing in the state. Other states with large Indian communities include Texas (570,000), New Jersey (440,000), New York (390,000), and Illinois (270,000). Metropolitan areas such as New York (710,000), Dallas (270,000), and San Francisco (260,000) also have significant Indian populations.
The median age of Indian Americans is 34.2, comparable to the median age for all Asian Americans. U.S.-born Indians tend to be much younger, with a median age of just 13.4, and 60% of them are under 18.
A Highly Educated and Affluent Community
Indian Americans continue to be one of the most highly educated groups in the country. About 77% of Indian adults ages 25 and older hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree, compared to 56% among all Asian Americans. Educational attainment levels are nearly identical between U.S.-born and immigrant Indians.
This high level of education is reflected in income levels. Indian-headed households had a median annual income of $151,200 in 2023—far higher than the $105,600 median for all Asian-headed households. Indian immigrants had even higher household incomes, with a median of $156,000, compared to $120,200 among their U.S.-born counterparts.
Personal earnings also tell a story of economic success. The median annual income for Indian Americans ages 16 and older was $85,300, compared to $52,400 for Asians overall. Full-time Indian workers had median earnings of $106,400.
Family, Language, and Religion
Marriage is more common among Indian Americans than among Asians overall—70% of Indian adults are married, compared to 58% of Asian adults. Immigrants are more likely to be married (77%) than U.S.-born Indians (35%).
Language proficiency is also strong: 84% of Indians aged 5 and older speak English proficiently. Many speak regional Indian languages at home, with Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati, and Tamil among the most common.
Religiously, nearly half (48%) of Indian-alone adults identify as Hindu, making Hinduism the dominant faith among Indian Americans. Christians and those unaffiliated with any religion each make up about 15% of the community.
Looking Ahead
With high levels of education, income, and English proficiency, Indian Americans continue to play a growing and influential role in U.S. society. As the second-largest Asian origin group in the country, their demographic and economic trends will remain central to discussions about immigration, education, and the future of multicultural America.
