The People of Hawaii

According to figures released on September 2, 2003, Hawaii now ranks fourth in the nation in the number of foreign born residents. Approximately 18% of Hawaii's 1,208,537 residents were born abroad. Of the 216,579 estimated foreign-born residents, 170,593 are from Asia, 19,607 from Oceania, 12,376 from Europe, 9306 from Latin America, 4,093 from North America, and 604 from Asia.

In addition 310,088 of Hawaii's residents, or approximately 25% were born in other states, U.S. territories or born abroad to U.S. Citizens.

What this means in total is that of Hawaii's 1,208,537, an amazing 43.5% or 526,667 residents were not born in Hawaii.

When it is said that Hawaii is the great melting pot of the United States, there is clear evidence to support that position.

What is the American Community Survey?

According to the U.S. Census Department, "The American Community Survey is a nationwide survey designed to provide communities a fresh look at how they are changing. It is a critical element in the Census Bureau's reengineered 2010 census.

The decennial census has two parts: 1) the short form, which counts the population; and 2) the long form, which obtains demographic, housing, social, and economic information from a 1-in-6 sample of households. Information from the long form is used for the administration of federal programs and the distribution of billions of federal dollars.

Since this is done only once every 10 years, long-form information becomes out of date. Planners and other data users are reluctant to rely on it for decisions that are expensive and affect the quality of life of thousands of people. The American Community Survey is a way to provide the data communities need every year instead of once in ten years. It is an on-going survey that the Census Bureau plans will replace the long form in the 2010 Census."

Percent of Population that is Foreign Born
Total Population (State Level)