The Wontons Are Overflowing: How Many Asians Live in NYC?
Ever felt like you're surrounded by more dumplings than pigeons in New York City? Well, you're not wrong. The Big Apple boasts a huge Asian population, making it the most Asian-American city in the entire US of A. But how huge are we talking, exactly? Buckle up, because we're about to dive into a numerical comedy show.
How Many Asians In New York City |
More Asians Than You Can Shake a Dim Sum Basket At:
The 2010 census (which, admittedly, feels like a lifetime ago in internet years) already revealed that NYC was home to over one million Asian Americans. That's more than the combined Asian populations of San Francisco and Los Angeles! Mind. Blown.
Fast forward to today, and estimates suggest that number has only grown.
Tip: Reread if it feels confusing.
Where'd Everybody Come From? The Great Asian Invasion (it's a joke, folks!):
New York City's Asian community is a beautiful tapestry woven from threads of all corners of Asia.
- Chinese New Yorkers take the top billing, with some estimates suggesting over 600,000 call the city home. That's more than anywhere else outside of Asia itself!
- Indian Americans come in strong as the biggest South Asian group, followed by Bangladeshis and Pakistani communities.
- Southeast Asia is represented by a sizable Filipino population, while Japanese Americans add a touch of anime fandom to the mix.
Basically, if you can find a cuisine, you can find someone who cooks it (and probably does it better than your local takeout joint) in NYC.
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
Fun with Demographics: A Statistical Romp
Here's a little something for the data lovers:
- As of 2020, roughly 15.6% of New York City's population is identified as Asian.
- Queens and Brooklyn are home to the biggest chunks of the Chinese community, while Flushing boasts the largest concentration of Chinese immigrants.
See? We told you it gets exciting!
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
FAQ: Your Asian-NYC Survival Guide (sort of)
Okay, okay, maybe you're not here for a history lesson. You just wanna know how to navigate this delicious Asian melting pot. Fear not, we've got you covered:
How to find the best dumplings in NYC? That's a never-ending quest, my friend. But a good place to start is Flushing or Chinatown.
QuickTip: Stop scrolling if you find value.
How to speak fluent Cantonese? Let's be honest, probably not gonna happen overnight. But a smile and a "ni hao" (??) go a long way.
How to avoid getting lost in a giant Asian supermarket? Embrace the adventure! You never know what exotic food treasure you might discover.
How to find a good karaoke bar that caters to Asian music? Hit up Koreatown in Midtown or Elmhurst in Queens. Just be prepared to belt out your best Celine Dion (or Rain, if you're feeling adventurous).
How to not be overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of NYC's Asian community? Just take a deep breath, grab some bubble tea, and enjoy the ride!
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