Independent writer and researcher focused on immigration, demographic change, media and journalism, and social trends. Recent articles and publications are highlighted below.
Featured Article
Over Half of the U.S. Foreign-Born Population Lives in Just Four States
The foreign-born population in the United States is highly concentrated in a small number of states. In 2024, over half (53%) of the nation’s 50.2 million foreign-born residents lived in just four states: California (10.9 million), Texas (5.8 million), Florida (5.4 million), and New York (4.6 million). California alone accounted for 22% of the total. Measured as a share of state population, California again leads (28%), followed by New Jersey (25%), New York and Florida (23% each), and Nevada (20%), where at least 1-in-5 residents are foreign born.
Featured Article
Foreign-Born Population Surges After 2020
The foreign-born population grew from 38.5 million in 2009 to 50.2 million in 2024, an increase of roughly 11.7 million people. The largest share of that growth—about 42%—occurred between 2021 and 2024, while the previous four years accounted for only 13%. This recent surge was driven by a rebound in the number of noncitizens after 2020, coupled with the steady increase in naturalized citizens, marked by a dramatic turnaround in noncitizen growth rates between 2017–2020 and 2021–2024.
Featured Article
Foreign Stock Now Makes Up Over a Quarter of the U.S. Population
A growing share of the U.S. population has ties to immigration. Over a quarter—28%—was comprised of foreign stock in 2024, up from about 23% in 2005. In 2024, this included 15% first-generation immigrants and 13% second-generation children of immigrants, compared with 12% and 10%, respectively, in 2005.