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The Korean American Coalition has been designated a Census Information Center (CIC) by the U.S. Government. As part of the U.S. Census Bureau's data dissemination network, KAC will periodically release statistics from the 2010 Census through this portal. Many of these releases will be information focusing on the Korean American and Asian American population in Los Angeles, in California, and nationwide.

KAC-CIC also provides training on various census data, software, the Census Bureau’s website, etc. on request from community members. Printing of factsheets, maps of the Korean American population are available upon request. Topical maps can be compiled and printed for specific users using KAC-CIC's ArcGIS software for a set printing fee. All general tables and maps are made available online, for free. For additional information about Census Information Centers, click here. If you have any questions about Korean American data releases from the 2010 Census Bureau, email Esther Park at esther@kacla.org or call the KAC office at 213-365-5999.

2010 Census
2011.09.23.Media Release
Korean Population by State: This is a map displaying the population of US residents by state based on their reported race. Those who reported their race as either Korean Alone or in Combination with Any Race are visible here.
2010 Census Quick Facts: By County and State
Total US population: 308,745,538
Korean: 1,423,784 (0.5% of total US pop.)
Asian alone or in combination with one or more races: 17,320,856 (5.6% of total US pop.)
Total CA population: 37,253,956
Koreans in California: 451,892 (1.2% of the total CA pop.)

2009 American Community Survey
Koreans in OC
Population estimates - Korean alone or in any combination
Total population: 1,588249 (MoE +/-26,488)
One race: 86.7%
Two races: 12%
Male: 46.7%
Female: 53.3%
Native to US: 576,577
Foreign born: 1,011,672
Foreign born, naturalized: 564,155
Foreign born, not US citizen: 447,517


Download the information above as a PDF


2000 Census
Koreans in California: 345,881
Total Population of California: 33,871,648
Koreans in the US (including Mixed): 1,228,427
Koreans in the US (Korean Alone): 1,076,872

1990 Census
Koreans in California: 259,941
Total (Korean Alone): 798,846

Largest ethnic Korean populations
Greater Los Angeles Combined Statistical Area (LA, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura Counties): 300,047
Greater New York Combined Statistical Area (New York City and New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania Counties): 201,393
Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area (DC-MD-VA-WV): 93,787

There was a 28.1% increase in the Korean population in California from 2000 to 2010. From 1990 to 2000, there was a 33.1% increase in the Korean American population of California. The total Korean American population increased by 34.8% from 1990 to 2000. According to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the US holds the second largest Korean resident population outside Korea, with 2,085,473 Korean residents.

As of the 2009 American Community Survey, 30.4% of Korean Americans speak English only, 69.6% speak a language other than English at home, and 41% speak English less than “very well.” Korean Americans are employed in highest numbers in educational services, health care and social assistance, at 19.4% of 729,952 civilian employed residents 16 years old and over. The second most common industry is retail trade at 14.1%, followed by arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services at 11.6%.

Sources: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010, 2000 Census (SF1) Asian Alone with One or More Asian Categories For Selected Groups, 1990 Census (SF1), ACS 2009 Demographic and Housing Estimates, 2008 ACS 1-Year Estimates Selected Population Profile – Korean alone or in any combination, Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Other online resources:
California State University, Los Angeles - Center for Korean American and Korean Studies
The National Association of Korean Americans
Korean American Census