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According to U.S. Census numbers, thirty-nine percent of Philadelphia’s foreign born come from Asia, making Asians the largest share of Philadelphia’s immigrants. Among Philadelphia’s 1.5 million population, 8% are Asians, based on the estimate report from U.S. Census Bureau released in July 2022.

Hailing from more than 15 countries from Pakistan to the Philippines, Asians have come to Philadelphia to create a new life for themselves and their families. They have brought with them the traditions of their families and homelands, their skills and knowledge, their languages such as Khmer, Tagalog and Urdu, faiths, and philosophies from Buddhism to Catholicism to Islam.

While many have become citizens or permanent residents of the United States, numerous others are living as undocumented immigrants. Many from China or India are professionals employed by leading businesses and universities. Others work in low-wage jobs despite advanced degrees. A number of Vietnamese and Indonesian immigrants have arrived as refugees. Others are here to seek asylum after fleeing instability and turmoil in their countries, while others have come to rejoin family or seek their fortunes. Whatever their stories or situations, the more than 50,000 Asian immigrants who have decided to make the city their home have redefined blocks, neighborhoods and entire areas of North, South and West Philadelphia, Center City and the Northeast through their businesses, cultural organizations, and places of worship.

Their influences can be seen both historically and more recently. The creation of a small business district by a society of single Chinese men in the late 1880s has become one of America’s most dynamic Chinatowns. The establishment of the Wat Lao Phouphathammaram Laotian temple and Vietnamese shopping plazas have revitalized Washington Avenue in recent years. The Korean dramas and Bollywood classics broadcast on WYBE are enjoyed throughout the region. In each of these glimpses and in many more ways, Asian immigrants continue to contribute to the civic, economic and intercultural growth and diversity of Philadelphia.  Here are profiles of some of Philadelphia’s largest Asian communities, as well as some groups that have been growing in recent years. Other groups with smaller, but significant, populations in Philadelphia include Filipinos and Pakistanis.

CAMBODIA

POPULATION
6,862 (U.S. Census 2000)

WHERE THEY LIVE
The first Cambodians settled in West Philadelphia, but in the last 20 years most have migrated to South Philadelphia. Other areas with pockets of Cambodian immigrants include North Philadelphia, Logan/Olney, and Upper Darby.

COMMUNITY
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia
Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP) Facebook page

CHINA

POPULATION
18,000 (U.S. Census 2000)

WHERE THEY LIVE
The Chinese immigrant population is concentrated in Chinatown, located in Center City East. Professionals and the upwardly mobile tend to live in Center City and in suburbs such as Drexel Hill, Radnor and Cherry Hill. Other areas with Chinese immigrants include Center City, University City, and South Philadelphia.

COMMUNITY
Asian American Community and Resources

KOREA

POPULATION
No official U.S. Census estimate

WHERE THEY LIVE

Koreans are historically concentrated in Olney and Cheltenham. More recently, Koreans have tended to settle directly in suburban areas as opposed to urban neighborhoods.
A majority of Korean-American families are Christian (Baptist and Presbyterian) and services are often held in Korean. There are a growing number of elderly Koreans in the area.

COMMUNITY
Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia KAAGP 대필라델피아한인회 Facebook page

INDIA

POPULATION
4,000 (U.S. Census 2000)

WHERE THEY LIVE

A large population of Indian immigrants can be found in the Northeast Philadelphia areas of Somerton, Bustleton, Pennypack/Academy Gardens and Oxford Circle. An Indian presence is also found in West Philadelphia and the University City and Powelton Village Areas. Many of those living in the Far Northeast tend to be white-collar professionals, though a percentage of this group also lives in the West Philadelphia and Center City areas. Blue-collar workers tend to live mostly in West Philadelphia neighborhoods.

COMMUNITY
Indians in Philadelphia Facebook group

INDONESIA

POPULATION
No official U.S. Census estimate

WHERE THEY LIVE

The majority of Indonesian immigrants live in South Philadelphia in neighborhoods west and east of Broad Street such as Point Breeze and Wharton/Hawthorne/Bella Vista. A smaller cohort of mostly ethnic Chinese Indonesians lives in the East Center City Chinatown neighborhood while other Indonesians live in North Philadelphia or the Northeast. There are fewer small children and elderly adults than in comparable Asian immigrant groups who have lived in the United States for a longer period of time.

COMMUNITY
Gapura Philadelphia
Philadelphia Indonesian Community Information Facebook group

VIETNAM

POPULATION
6,000 (U.S. Census 2000)

WHERE THEY LIVE

Many middle to lower-class Vietnamese live in South and Southwest Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Kensington, Harrowgate and Center City. White collar, middle and upper-class Vietnamese mostly live in Montgomery and Bucks County. Philadelphia has the third largest Vietnamese immigrant population on the East Coast behind only northern Virginia and Boston.

COMMUNITY
Little Saigon Philly

Categories
Topic: 
City Planning
Topic: 
Food/Cuisine
Topic: 
Immigration/Refugees
Global Region: 
Asia
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Cambodian
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Chinese
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Indian
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Indonesian
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Korean
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Laotian
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Vietnamese