Iranians in America: 290000, 464000 or 1 million? Mystery remains
The results of 2010 U.S. Census are out. There are definitely more American residents of Iranian ancestry than reported in 2000. But despite the concerted and passionate publicity and awareness campaign by Iranian organizations, the 2010 reported numbers are nowhere close to the 1 or 1.5 million that many claim.
There are two official numbers reported. According to the Census Bureau, a total of 289,465 responded to the question of race in the 2010 Census by marking “x” in the “SomeOther Race” box and writing Iranian/Persian alone or in acombination. The majority of the write-in responses came from California (157,225), while Texas (20,440) and New York (12,095) received the second and third highest write-in responses. Other states with large population of Iranians (in order): Virginia (11800), Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Washington, Illinois, Arizona, New Jersey, and Massachusetts (3900). Funding for this report ($3,100) was sponsored by Farhang Foundation and Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA).
Another part of Federal data on Iranian Americans is statistically derived from question of ancestry, which is collected through the annual American Community Survey (ACS), sent only to a sample population of 3 million individuals per year. According to this data, there are nearly 464000 people of Iranian ancestry in America.
Like other ethnic groups, the number of Iranian Americans may be under-represented in Census data. This may be attributed to the lack of participation in the census surveys by many Iranians as well as the method used by the Census Bureau to obtain such information. For example, although the ACS produces estimations on ancestry, it covers only a sample population of 3 million individuals per year.
Other interesting notes from 2010 data:
- About 25% of Iranian Americans are under 25 years of age, and 26% over 55 years of age (seniors).
- About 32% of Iranian Americans live in non-family households (single adults).
- About 55% of Iranians age 15 or higher are married.
- About 60% have college degrees.
- About 10% have a disability
- About 2/3 born in Iran and 1/3 in America
- About 36% are not in the labor force (Are non employees, such as students or business owners)
- Mean household income: $65000 a year
Related:
U.S. Census (Video): Iranian American Participation
Maz Jobrani on Census 2010 for Iranian - Americans
