Characteristics of the U.S. Foreign-Born Population by Year of Entry: American Community Survey, 2009

Nathan P. Walters, U.S. Census Bureau
Yesenia D. Acosta, U.S. Census Bureau

In 2009, an estimated 38.5 million foreign-born people lived in the United States, representing roughly 12.5 percent of the total population. This report presents data on the year of entry of the foreign-born population at the national level based on the American Community Survey (ACS). Data on year of entry is important because it can be used as an indicator of time spent in the United States by the foreign born. Additional information about the foreign born can be gained when year of entry is analyzed with other variables, such as place of birth, sex, age, language, education level, and occupational status. This poster examines a variety of demographic and social characteristics of foreign-born year of entry cohorts. The foreign-born population includes anyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth.