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Top U.S. States & Cities with the Largest Japanese Communities
Overview — Who are Japanese Americans?
Japanese Americans are people in the United States with ancestry or ethnic origins in Japan. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, about 1.63 million people (0.49%) identified as Japanese alone or in combination. This makes Japanese Americans the sixth-largest Asian-origin group in the United States. Southern California has the largest Japanese American population in North America, while Gardena, California has one of the highest concentrations in the mainland U.S.
Insight: The Japanese American community has deep historical roots in the U.S., especially along the West Coast, with many third- and fourth-generation families.
Japanese American Population Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,160,000 |
| 2010 | 1,316,000 |
| 2015 | 1,423,000 |
| 2020 | 1,636,634 |
As per Census data, the Japanese alone population in 2020 was 742,549 (0.22%), while Japanese alone or in any combination was 1,636,634 (0.49%).
The estimated Japanese American population in 2025 is around 1.7 million.
Insight: Growth among Japanese Americans has been moderate, with a larger share of the increase coming from multiracial and U.S.-born generations rather than new immigration.
also read about the Japanese population in Canada
Japanese Population by U.S. State
Japanese Americans make up about 0.49% of the U.S. population. California has the largest Japanese population, followed by Hawaii and Washington. Hawaii also has one of the highest population concentrations of Japanese ancestry in the country.
Top U.S. States with the Largest Japanese Population (2020)
| # | State | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 486,055 |
| 2 | Hawaii | 314,102 |
| 3 | Washington | 87,638 |
| 4 | Texas | 72,948 |
| 5 | New York | 34,000 |
Insight: California and Hawaii together account for a major share of the U.S. Japanese population, reflecting long-standing migration and settlement patterns.
also read about Asian Americans
Top U.S. Cities & Metro Areas with Japanese Population
The Honolulu metro area has the largest Japanese population in the United States, followed by Los Angeles and San Francisco. Many metro areas with significant Japanese communities are located on the West Coast and Hawaii.
Top 10 U.S. Metro Areas by Japanese Population
| # | Metro Area | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | 190,000 |
| 2 | Los Angeles | 177,000 |
| 3 | San Francisco | 66,000 |
| 4 | New York | 56,000 |
| 5 | Seattle | 53,000 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | 37,000 |
| 7 | San Diego | 35,000 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | 25,000 |
| 9 | Chicago | 24,000 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | 22,000 |
Insight: Honolulu and Los Angeles remain cultural and demographic hubs for Japanese Americans, with active community institutions, businesses, and heritage neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How many Japanese Americans live in the United States in 2025?
As of 2025, the estimated Japanese American population in the United States is around 1.7 million, based on U.S. Census and ACS trend data.
Q. Which U.S. state has the largest Japanese American population?
California has the largest Japanese population in the U.S., followed by Hawaii and Washington.
Q. Which U.S. city or metro area has the highest Japanese population?
The Honolulu metro area has the largest Japanese American population, followed by Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Q. Are Japanese Americans one of the major Asian groups in the U.S.?
Yes. Japanese Americans are the sixth-largest Asian-origin group in the United States.
Q. Is the Japanese American population growing?
Growth is steady but modest, with much of the increase coming from U.S.-born and multiracial Japanese American households rather than recent immigration.
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