Asian Americans now the fastest-growing demographic group in North Carolina
Jrai-American students in Charlotte, N.C. participate in the Southeast Asian Coalition's voter mobilization efforts. A new report finds that Asian Americans are a growing but under-engaged segment of the state's electorate. (Photo courtesy of the Southeast Asian Coalition.)
Amid the demographic shifts transforming North Carolina and its electorate, one has been widely overlooked — the rise of Asian Americans.
The Asian-American population in North Carolina, though relatively small, has become the fastest-growing racial and ethnic demographic in the state, according to new research released by several Asian-American and civic engagement-focused groups.
The "Asian Americans in North Carolina" report notes that between 2000 and 2010, the Asian-American population in the state grew 85 percent, the fastest rate in the South and the third-fastest in the country. Since 2010, Asian Americans have been the fastest-growing racial/ethnic group within the state.
(Graphic from "Asian Americans in North Carolina" report.)
The report was developed and released jointly by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Institute for Southern Studies, the N.C. Justice Center and the Southeast Asian Coalition, and spotlights a community that is becoming an important part of North Carolina's growing ethnic and racial diversity.
Among the key characteristics of the Asian-American population in North Carolina:
- Diversity: Over 20 ethnicities, countries of origin and languages are represented in the state's Asian-American community.
- Relatively high citizenship rates: Although nearly 60 percent of Asian-American residents were born abroad, the citizenship rate is about 70 percent. Rates vary by ethnicity and country of origin.
- Low voter registration rates: About 100,000 Asian Americans are registered to vote. That's only 58 percent of those who are eligible, compared to a statewide registration rate for all voters of 70 percent.
As North Carolina prepares for its March 15 presidential primary, voting among Asian Americans is a major focus of advocates for the community.
"As our communities grow, we must ensure everyone has a voice in our political process," said Cat Bao Le, executive director of the Charlotte, N.C.-based Southeast Asian Coalition (SEAC).
This primary season, SEAC is working with N.C.'s Asian Americans Together to run nonpartisan get-out-the-vote phone banking events in Charlotte and Raleigh to encourage Asian-American voters to cast their ballots in next Tuesday's primary. Those interested in participating in the Saturday, March 12 phone bank can sign up by filling out this form.
The groups plan to release a more in-depth report on Asian Americans in the state later this year in advance of the November general elections.
To read the full report, visit www.ncasian.org.
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Allie Yee
Allie is a research fellow at the Institute for Southern Studies and is currently studying at the Yale School of Management. Her research focuses on demographic change, immigration, voting and civic engagement.