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Top U.S. States and Cities with the Largest Vietnamese Communities
Vietnamese Americans are people with ancestry in Vietnam. They are the fourth-largest Asian ethnic group in the United States, after Chinese, Indian, and Filipino Americans. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, about 2.3 million people (0.69% of the U.S. population) identified as Vietnamese American.
As per Census 2020, the Vietnamese alone population was 1,896,690 (0.57%), while the Vietnamese alone or in any combination category counted 2,288,082 people (0.69%). The estimated Vietnamese American population in 2025 is around 2.3 million.
Insight: Vietnamese migration grew significantly after the 1970s due to refugee resettlement, family reunification, and strong community networks across key U.S. cities.
Vietnamese Population Growth in the U.S.
| Year | Population |
| 2000 | 1,224,000 |
| 2010 | 1,737,000 |
| 2015 | 1,980,000 |
| 2020 | 2,288,082 |
Insight: Population growth has moderated in recent years, shifting from refugee-driven migration to U.S.-born second-generation Vietnamese Americans.
also read about Asian Americans
Vietnamese Population in the U.S. by State (2020 Census)
Vietnamese Americans are most concentrated in California and Texas, with notable communities in Washington, Florida, Virginia, and Georgia. Southern California — especially Orange County — is considered the cultural center of Vietnamese life in the U.S.
Let’s have a look at the Top States with Vietnamese Population
| # | States | Total population |
| 1 | California | 802,878 |
| 2 | Texas | 325,513 |
| 3 | Washington | 112,233 |
| 4 | Florida | 105,807 |
| 5 | Georgia | 73,234 |
| 6 | Virginia | 70,336 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 67,433 |
| 8 | Other States | 730,648 |
| – | United States | 2,288,082 |
Insight: Orange County, California, has the largest Vietnamese population outside Vietnam, forming one of the most influential Vietnamese diasporic communities globally.
Top U.S. Cities with the Largest Vietnamese Populations
The Los Angeles metro area has the largest Vietnamese population, followed by Houston and San Jose. Many Vietnamese communities developed around resettlement programs, family migration, trade, and small-business hubs.
Let’s have a look at the top 10 US metro areas by the Vietnamese population
| # | Metro area | Vietnamese population |
| 1 | Los Angeles | 346,000 |
| 2 | Houston | 143,000 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | 143,000 |
| 4 | Dallas | 96,000 |
| 5 | San Francisco | 84,000 |
| 6 | Seattle | 74,000 |
| 7 | Washington | 69,000 |
| 8 | San Diego | 58,000 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 55,000 |
| 10 | Sacramento, CA | 42,000 |
Source: US Census 2019 estimates
FAQs
Q1. How many Vietnamese people live in the United States?
As of the 2020 U.S. Census, there are 2.29 million Vietnamese Americans (Vietnamese alone or in any combination). The estimated population in 2025 is around 2.3 million.
Q2. Which U.S. state has the largest Vietnamese population?
California has the largest Vietnamese population, followed by Texas, Washington, Florida, and Virginia. Southern California — especially Orange County — is considered the cultural center of Vietnamese Americans.
Q3. Which U.S. city has the largest Vietnamese community?
The Los Angeles metro area has the largest Vietnamese population, followed by Houston and San Jose.
Q4. Are Vietnamese Americans the largest Southeast Asian group in the U.S.?
No. Filipino Americans are the largest Southeast Asian group, while Vietnamese Americans are the fourth-largest Asian group overall in the United States.
Q5. Why are there so many Vietnamese communities in California and Texas?
Large communities formed due to post-war refugee resettlement programs, family migration, business opportunities, and strong community networks that encouraged secondary migration.
Q6. Is the Vietnamese American population still growing?
Growth has slowed since 2020, but continues gradually through U.S.-born second-generation families and limited immigration.
Q7. What industries do many Vietnamese Americans work in?
Vietnamese Americans are commonly employed in small businesses, retail trade, healthcare, nail salons, manufacturing, technology, and service industries.
Q8. Where can I find more data on Vietnamese Americans?
Population data is available through the U.S. Census, American Community Survey, and state demographic databases.
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