The following in a cross-post by the U.S. Census Bureau

In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed May 10, 1869.

In 1992, Congress expanded the observance to a monthlong celebration that is now known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Per a 1997 U.S. Office of Management and Budget directive, the Asian or Pacific Islander racial category was separated into two categories: one being Asian and the other Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. Thus, this Facts for Features contains a section for each.

The following facts are possible thanks to the invaluable responses to U.S. Census Bureau surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.

Did You Know?

22.6 million

The estimated number of Asian alone-or-in-combination residents in the United States in 2018.

2.5%  

The percentage of Asian alone--or--combination military veterans in 2018.

53.9% 

The percentage of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education in 2018.

88.1%  

The percentage of the Asian alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older who had at least a high school diploma or equivalency in 2018.

555,262

The estimated number of Asian-owned employer firms in the United States in 2016.

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population

Did You Know?

1.6 million

The estimated number of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination residents of the United States in 2018.

7.6%  

The percentage of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination military veterans in 2018

24.4%

The percentage of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2018.

89.1%

The percentage of the Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone-or-in-combination population age 25 and older with at least a high school diploma or equivalency in 2018.

5,157  

The estimated number of Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander-owned employer firms in the United States in 2016.

For more statistics, please visit the U.S. Census Bureau's latest Facts for Features on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May 2020.