US Korean population rises 11.3 percent in five years

December 3, 2015
(Korea Times file)

(Korea Times file)

By Kim Chul-soo

The Korean population in the United States has risen by 11.3 percent in the last five years to more than 1.45 million as of 2014, according to a report by the American Community Survey.

At 461,748 people, one in three Koreans in the country call California home.

The report, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, said the Korean population — excluding those of mixed race — had grown 1 percent since 2013.

Los Angeles County, which has the largest Korean population outside of Korea, saw a 1.2 percent growth in one year, from 214,683 to 217,260 people. Orange County saw a 2.7 percent growth, to 91,468.

The City of Los Angeles had the largest Korean population in California, with 108,036, followed by Irvine (17,985), Fullerton (16,432), Torrance (12,252) and Glendale (9,857).

While the Korean population grew in areas like Beverly Hills, Cypress, Santa Clarita and La Mirada, it decreased in Anaheim, Brea and Downey, the report showed.

In New York, which has the second-highest Korean population in the U.S., numbers decreased by 2.1 percent, with 133,571 in 2014. Other areas with significant Korean populations were New Jersey (98,177), Texas (74,600), Illinois (63,511) and Washington (63,219).