Indian Americans: 5.2 Million Strong, Now the US’s Second-Largest Asian Group

Written by

Mynaz Altaf

Fact check by

Divyansh Chaudhari

Updated on

May 17,2025

Indian Americans: 5.2 Million Strong, Now the US’s Second-Largest Asian Group - TerraTern

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The statistics provided by the sampling research based on the Indian American struggle prove that the Indian community has achieved a significant status in America. With an estimated population of 5.2 million in 2023, Indian Americans are now the second-largest Asian origin group in the United States, with an approximate share of 21 per cent of the overall Asian American population. This phenomenon is due to migration, educational levels, and economic status, that has put Indian Americans as one of the most diverse and significant communities in the United States.

 

Explosive Population Growth: 174% in Two Decades

Since 2000, the Indian Americans have risen to 4.377 million from the 1.8 million that it was at that time. This is inclusive of skilled professionals and students and has led to an addition of over 3.1 million people in less than twenty years. Despite the fall in the percentage of foreign-born from 73% in 2000 to 66% in 2023, the actual headcount of Indian immigrants has increased from 1.3 million to 3.2 million.

Key Numbers:

  • Total Indian American population (2023): 5.2 million

  • Growth since 2000: 174%

  • Immigrant share (2023): 66%

  • Indian immigrants (2023): 3.2 million

  • US-born Indian Americans (2023): 1.65 million

It is not just a case of quantity: it accounts for the drastic changes that have taken place regarding crime rates, technology, and social attitudes. it is a simple story that shows change, opportunities, and the dream of millions of Indian families to have a house in the United States.

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Where Do Indian Americans Live?

Holding Reference Indian Americans are inhabitants in a few particular states and regions in the country and are major pillars of culturally beautiful cities. They have morphed into the epitome of Indian American existence with temples, Indian associations, Indian foods, and Indian markets.

Top States by Indian American Population

This list presents the analysis of the top states in the USA with a large concentration of Indian American population.

  • California: 960,000 (nearly 1 in 5 Indian Americans)

  • Texas: 570,000

  • New Jersey: 440,000

  • New York: 390,000

  • Illinois: 270,000

Major Metro Areas:

  • New York-Newark-Jersey City: 710,000

  • Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington: 270,000

  • San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley: 260,000

These concentrations go back to the past migration experience as well as the attraction to IT, financial, health, and academic sectors. Nowadays, it is possible to find Indian American enclaves in places like Edison, New Jersey or Fremont, California, which are absolutely both Indian and American.

Age and Generational Profile

The average age of Indians is 34.2, which is quite similar to the age group of Asian Americans, 34.7. However, certain generational differences speak of a clearly progressing community:

  • Immigrant Indian Americans: Median age 40.9

  • US-born Indian Americans: Median age 13.4

Contrary to many other immigrants, where young people below 18 years form the majority, only 7% of Indian immigrants are under 18, while a much larger 60% of US-born Indian Americans are below that age. It is also important since only 1% of the Indians living in the US and born there are of the age of 65 years and above, while the figure is 13% for the immigrants. This indicates that the further expansion of the Indian Americans is expected as the youngest among them grow to be adults, join the working force and contribute to the American composition and style.

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Language, Culture, and Religion

India can be described as one of the most diverse nations of the world with regard to the languages and cultures and their immigrants in the American society are no exception.

Language Proficiency:

English proficiency (age 5+): 84% (highest among Asian groups)

28% speak only English at home

56% of those individuals also have another language in addition to English as their household language.

Other Languages Spoken at Home:

  • Hindi: 18%

  • Telugu: 11%

  • Gujarati: 10%

  • Tamil: 7%

This fact is some of the cultural and geographical heritage of the countries that Indian Americans come from. Punjabi to Tamil and Telugu, people of Indian origin have contributed to America in many ways, from language to food, festival and traditions.

Religion:

  • Hindu: 48%

  • Christian: 15%

  • Unaffiliated: 15%

  • Other religions: Sikh, Muslim, Jain, Buddhist, and Otherwise

Most people of Indian origin are multi-religious, and popular festivals include Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Christmas. This is a pointer to pluralism that has been characteristic of India and the United States of America.

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Education and Economic Success

Indian Americans are among the most highly educated and economically successful groups in the US-a fact that is both a source of pride and a driver of their influence.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+): 77% (vs. 56% for Asian Americans overall)

  • Immigrants: 77%

  • US-born: 76%

This educational attainment is evidenced by the fact that a large percentage of the Indian Americans are science, technology, engineering, and math professionals, medical professionals, academics, and entrepreneurs.

Income:

  • Median household income: $151,200 (2023)

  • Immigrant households: $156,000

  • US-born households: $120,200

  • Personal earnings (age 16+): $85,300

  • The median earnings of full-time year-round workers are as follows: $106,400

The education has paid off for Indian Americans in the form of well-paid jobs in information technology, medicine, finance, and as entrepreneurs. Some of them work in Silicon Valley, Wall Street, or any other big healthcare facility, while the others are entrepreneurs with their own small businesses.

Family, Homeownership, and Poverty

But Indians are just as successful in other aspects of American life, such as the stability of families with children and homeownership.

  1. Married adults: 70% (vs. 58% for Asian Americans overall)

  2. Homeownership: 62% (same as Asian American average)

  • Immigrant households: 63%

  • US-born: 54%

  1. Poverty rate: They found that 6 per cent identified themselves as bisexual, which is a lower percentage compared to the findings of the 10 per cent for Asian Americans in general.

These factors are the creation of economic security and the stability of families. Housing structures like new families, large households, and support structures are common, making it easier for the newcomers to find their new home.

Social Mobility and Representation

Indians have definitely come out in the open and are doing well for themselves these days. It has influential personalities who are active in politics, commerce, education, and other fields that have to do with culture. Some of them are Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, among others, Nobel prize winners and Pulitzer prize winners.

Those who have integrated the country are also politically active; more Indian-Americans are standing as candidates for elections/participating in the political sphere as activists and economists in immigrant policy, education, and civil rights.

Also Read: How AI Is Powering Trump’s Sweeping Immigration Crackdown?

The Changing Face of Indian America

Although immigration continues to be an important factor, the community is becoming more indigenous in the USA and more diverse in terms of language, beliefs, and presence in economic, educational, technological, and political spheres. Today, Indians in the United States are an important component of society and the economy, contributing towards the national development as much as being a product of it.

The coming decade will show even further advancement and assimilation of Indian Americans since the second generation is soon to join the American mainstream, and Indian contribution to this country will become even more prominent.

 

Conclusion

The journey from South Asia to 5.2 million, making them the second biggest Asian group in the US today, is one riddled with a rich narrative of immigration and accomplishment. India has provided America with a talented and younger generation, a high-earning population with a high education standard, and thus Indians are also expected to have a far larger contribution in this multicultural America. It illustrates the potential self-fulfilment dream that America offers to the world and the unbreakable bond between the two largest democratic countries globally.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Indian Americans are there in the US in 2023?

There are an estimated 5.2 million Indian Americans, making up 21% of the Asian American population.

What is the median household income of Indian Americans?

The median household income is $151,200, the highest among all Asian groups in the US.

Where do most Indian Americans live?

California has the largest Indian American population, followed by Texas, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois.

How educated are Indian Americans?

About 77% of Indian Americans aged 25+ hold a bachelor’s or higher degree, far above the national and Asian American averages.

What languages do Indian Americans speak at home?

Besides English, common languages include Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati, and Tamil, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity.