Foreign-Born Population in U.S. Hits Record Highs 📈

What We’re Showing

This graphic shows the foreign-born share of the U.S. population, based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau via The Center for Immigration Studies.

Key Takeaways

• Over the last two years, the foreign-born population has increased at the fastest rate in U.S. history, reaching 51.6 million as of March 2024.
• The foreign-born share of the U.S. population reached a low of 4.7% in 1970 but has since tripled, largely due to the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which emphasized family reunification, skilled immigration, and a more diverse applicant pool.
• Today, the foreign-born share of the population has exceeded peaks last seen in 1890, when it stood at 14.8%.