Arab American Heritage Month: Data and Statistics
Census Data for Arab Americans
- U.S. Census Bureau Classification of Arab PopulationsThis brief from the Rutgers University New Jersey State Policy Lab explains the challenges to capturing accurate counts of the Arab American or Middle Eastern population in the United States, Although the statistics included in the report are specific to New Jersey, this explanation at the beginning of the brief is critical for understanding census data for this population.
- Arab American Institute Census Information CenterThe Census Bureau has designated AAI as its only Census Information Center dedicated to analyzing data on the Arab American community. As such, [they] offer updated demographics on the Arab American community, custom research requests, and access to Census Bureau data tools and trainings.
- National Arab American DemographicsProvides basic information about the Arab American population. Includes an interactive map of the U.S. that gives detailed information for each state.
The Arab World
The 22 countries of the Arab League and the year of their admittance.
- Egypt (1945)
- Iraq (1945)
- Jordan (1945)
- Lebanon (1945)
- Saudi Arabia (1945)
- Syria (1945)
- Yemen (1945)
- Libya (1953)
- Sudan (1956)
- Morocco (1958)
- Tunisia (1958)
- Kuwait (1961)
- Algeria (1962)
- Bahrain (1971)
- U.A.E. (1971)
- Oman (1971)
- Qatar (1971)
- Mauritania (1973)
- Somalia (1974)
- Palestine (1976)
- Djibouti (1977)
- Comoros (1993)
Infographics & Statistics Middle Eastern & North African (MENA) U.S. Population
Distribution of MENA Immigrants by country of origin, 2019
COUNTRY & REGION | NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS | SHARE%- MENA Total | 1,203,000 | 100%
- Middle East | 822,000 | 68.3%
- Iraq | 250,000 | 20.7%
- Lebanon | 120/000 | 10.0%
- Syria | 93,000 | 7.7%
- Jordan | 90,000 | 7.5%
- Saudi Arabia | 70,000 | 6.4%
- Yemen | 59,000 | 4.9%
- Kuwait | 31,000 | 2.6%
- Other Western Asia | 104,000 | 8.6%
- North Africa | 381,000 | 31.7%
- Egypt | 206,000 | 17.1%
- Morocco | 77,000 | 6.4%
- Sudan | 51,000 | 4.3%
- Other Northern Africa | 46,000 | 3.9%
- Middle East | 822,000 | 68.3%
MENA Immigrant Population in the United States, 1980-2019
- 1980: 224,000
- 1990: 348,000
- 2000: 596,000
- 2010: 861,000
- 2019: 1,203,000
Average number of Arab Americans in the United States between 2011 and 2015, by citizenship status
- U.S. Citizen, born in the United States: 974,649
- U.S. citizen by naturalization: 449,732
- Not a U.S. citizen: 341,056
- U.S. citizen, born abroad of American parent(s): 44,019
- U.S. citizen, born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas: 2650
