The landscape of the U.S. population is experiencing a noteworthy shift, as the percentage of residents born outside the country has hit a peak not seen in over a century.
New insights from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that in 2023, 14.3 percent of the population was foreign-born, a slight increase from 13.9 percent in 2022. This rise marks the highest proportion of foreign-born residents since 1910, when the figure stood at 14.7 percent. The primary factor driving this trend is international migration, which has become increasingly essential to the growth of the U.S. population. With birth rates declining, immigrants now represent more than two-thirds of the overall population increase in the country.
The data is derived from the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey, which also explores various aspects of life in America, including family structures, income levels, education, and employment. Notably, immigration from Latin America has surged, contributing significantly to this trend.
As of 2023, individuals from Latin America constituted 51.2 percent of the foreign-born population, a rise from 50.3 percent the year before. In contrast, there has been a slight decline in the proportions of immigrants coming from Europe and Asia.
Luciana Bracho, who relocated from Venezuela to Miami in 2023 through a humanitarian parole program, shared her perspective: “We knew that here you can have savings, live well. Here you can have normal services such as water and electricity. I like Miami and the opportunities that I have had,” she told The Associated Press.
Several states have witnessed considerable increases in their foreign-born populations. For example, Delaware’s foreign-born demographic rose from 9.9 percent to 11.2 percent, while Georgia saw an increase from 10.7 percent to 11.6 percent. On the other hand, regions like Washington, D.C., Oregon, and Minnesota experienced marginal declines in their foreign-born populations.
The survey also highlights a growing Hispanic demographic within the U.S., which now accounts for 19.4 percent of the population, up from 19.1 percent last year. Meanwhile, the percentage of non-Hispanic whites decreased slightly from 57.7 percent to 57.1 percent. The proportion of Black residents remained stable at 12.1 percent, and there was a modest increase in the share of Asian residents to 6 percent.
In addition to demographic changes, the survey revealed an aging U.S. population, with the median age rising to 39.2 years in 2023. The percentage of individuals aged 65 and older grew to 17.7 percent, whereas the proportion of children under 18 remained unchanged at 21.7 percent.
Interestingly, the trend towards remote work is beginning to reverse, with only 13.8 percent of employees working from home in 2023, a drop from 15.2 percent in the previous year. Commute times have increased slightly, averaging 26.8 minutes.
As for living expenses, the cost of renting has surged, with an increase of 3.8 percent—marking the highest rise in over a decade. However, the percentage of income allocated to rent has remained steady at 31 percent, thanks to wage growth that has kept pace with housing costs.
It’s important to note that the Census Bureau does not specify whether the foreign-born residents are legal or illegal immigrants.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.