Trend of US Population By Generation (Foreign-Born)
According to data from the US Census Bureau, in 2024, the US first generation (foreign-born) population was 51,280,000 (15.4% of US population). The second generation population was 41,760,000 (12.6% of US population). And, the third-and-higher generation population was 239,300,000 (72% of US population).
The chart and table below shows the trend of the percentage of US population by generation.
NB: Universe is the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States, plus members of the Armed Forces living off post, or with their families on post, with at least one civilian adult. "First-generation" refers to those who are foreign born; "second generation" refers to those with at least one foreign-born parent; "third-and-higher generation" includes those with two US native parents.
| Year | First Generation (%) | Second Generation (%) | Third and Higher Generation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15.4 | 12.6 | 72 |
| 2023 | 14.8 | 12.7 | 72.5 |
| 2022 | 14.3 | 12.5 | 73.3 |
| 2021 | 13.8 | 12.3 | 73.9 |
| 2020 | 13.8 | 12.5 | 73.7 |
| 2019 | 14.1 | 12.4 | 73.5 |
| 2018 | 14.1 | 12.3 | 73.7 |
| 2017 | 13.7 | 12 | 74.3 |
| 2016 | 13.5 | 11.9 | 74.5 |
| 2015 | 13.3 | 12.1 | 74.6 |
| 2014 | 13 | 11.8 | 75.2 |
| 2013 | 12.9 | 11.7 | 75.4 |
| 2012 | 12.9 | 11.6 | 75.5 |
| 2011 | 12.9 | 11.5 | 75.7 |
| 2010 | 12.4 | 11.2 | 76.4 |
| 2009 | 12.2 | 11 | 76.8 |
| 2008 | 12.5 | 10.9 | 76.7 |
| 2007 | 12.6 | 10.9 | 76.5 |
| 2006 | 12.1 | 10.7 | 77.2 |
| 2005 | 12.1 | 10.5 | 77.4 |
The chart and table below shows the trend of each generation of US population.
| Year | First Generation | Second Generation | Third and Higher Generation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51280000 | 41760000 | 239300000 |
| 2023 | 48780000 | 42110000 | 239700000 |
| 2022 | 46860000 | 40960000 | 240900000 |
| 2021 | 45170000 | 40330000 | 242600000 |
| 2020 | 44910000 | 40790000 | 239600000 |
| 2019 | 45820000 | 40260000 | 238300000 |
| 2018 | 45430000 | 39730000 | 238000000 |
| 2017 | 43850000 | 38480000 | 238000000 |
| 2016 | 43070000 | 38070000 | 237700000 |
| 2015 | 42180000 | 38120000 | 235900000 |
| 2014 | 40740000 | 36840000 | 235800000 |
| 2013 | 40110000 | 36330000 | 234700000 |
| 2012 | 39980000 | 35730000 | 233100000 |
| 2011 | 39430000 | 35120000 | 232000000 |
| 2010 | 37610000 | 34110000 | 232600000 |
| 2009 | 36750000 | 33020000 | 231700000 |
| 2008 | 37260000 | 32540000 | 229300000 |
| 2007 | 37280000 | 32340000 | 227200000 |
| 2006 | 35660000 | 31440000 | 226700000 |
| 2005 | 35210000 | 30550000 | 225400000 |
