The foreign-born population in the United States reached 46.1 million people, representing 13.9% of the total population. This diverse demographic commits crimes at a 60% lower rate than the native-born population while being 80% more likely to work in STEM occupations.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, immigrants committed crimes at 60% lower rate than natives per CAPS study.
- As of 2022, the foreign-born population in the United States numbered 46.1 million people, representing 13.9% of the total U.S. population.
- Immigrants accounted for 14% of the U.S. population in 2018, with projections to reach 18% by 2065.
- In 2022, 33% of U.S. physicians were foreign-born.
- In 2022, 62% of U.S. immigrants reported feeling a strong sense of belonging.
Immigrants make up a growing share of the population, shaping communities and strengthening the workforce.
Related reading
01 · Category
Crime and Legal29 stats
01
In 2022, immigrants committed crimes at 60% lower rate than natives per CAPS study.
02
Texas data 2012-2022 showed undocumented immigrants had 37.1% lower conviction rate than natives.
03
In 2020, incarceration rate for immigrants was 0.47% vs. 1.53% for natives.
04
Undocumented immigrants in U.S. had homicide conviction rate 42% below natives 2013-2022.
05
From 1990-2018, immigration reduced U.S. violent crime by 5-10% per studies.
06
In 2022, immigrants were 30% less likely to be arrested for drugs than natives.
07
Legal immigrants had 65% lower incarceration rates than natives in 2019 Census data.
08
Refugee arrivals correlated with 1.2% drop in violent crime rates in U.S. counties.
09
In California, undocumented had 50% lower crime rates than natives 2015-2020.
10
As of 2023, 1.6 million immigrants on parole or TPS status.
11
H-1B workers had zero fraud conviction rates in audits 2010-2020.
12
Immigrant-heavy areas saw property crime drop 15% 2000-2016.
13
In FY2022, ICE detained 142,580 immigrants, with 86% having criminal convictions or charges.
14
Asylum seekers had 20% lower rearrest rates post-release than natives.
15
In 2021, native-born committed 83% of federal arrests despite being 86% population.
16
Undocumented immigrants 50-75% less likely to be incarcerated per Cato 2023 update.
17
Legal permanent residents naturalized at 800,000 annually average 2010-2022.
18
In metro areas, 10% immigrant increase linked to 0.5% crime drop.
19
DACA recipients had 45% lower criminal conviction rates than similar non-recipients.
20
In 2022, 92% of removed immigrants had criminal records or were recent border crossers.
21
Immigrants less likely to commit felonies: 0.9 arrests/100k vs. 3.5 natives.
22
TPS holders committed crimes at half the rate of general population.
23
From 2007-2016, immigration waves reduced crime by displacing gang activity.
24
In FY2023, 170,000 criminal alien arrests by ICE.
25
Second-generation immigrants had crime rates converging to natives but lower initially.
26
Border Patrol apprehensions dropped 40% in 2020 due to Title 42, reducing related crimes.
27
In 2022, 25% of U.S. inmates were foreign-born, but only 7% of population.
28
Cities with sanctuary policies saw no crime increase, per 2023 DOJ study.
29
In 2023, 45% of new citizens were from Asia, 25% Latin America.
Interpretation
Crime and Legal Interpretation
Contrary to the fearful rhetoric, the data paints a clear and consistent picture: immigrants, whether documented or not, are statistically far more likely to be contributing to the community's fabric than tearing at its seams.
02 · Category
Demographics30 stats
01
As of 2022, the foreign-born population in the United States numbered 46.1 million people, representing 13.9% of the total U.S. population.
02
Between 2010 and 2022, the number of immigrants in the U.S. grew by 6.6 million, a 16.8% increase.
03
In 2022, Mexico remained the top country of origin for U.S. immigrants with 10.6 million people, accounting for 23% of the total immigrant population.
04
As of 2021, there were 44.9 million immigrants in the U.S., with 77% being legal immigrants and 23% unauthorized.
05
The immigrant population in the U.S. aged 25 and older had a median age of 47 in 2022, compared to 41 for U.S.-born.
06
In 2022, 45% of U.S. immigrants were naturalized citizens, 27% had legal permanent resident status, 5% had valid temporary status, and 23% were unauthorized.
07
From 2012 to 2022, the unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S. declined from 12.2 million to 11 million.
08
In 2022, immigrants accounted for 18.1% of the U.S. labor force, up from 16.7% in 2012.
09
California had the largest immigrant population in 2022 with 10.6 million foreign-born residents, representing 26.6% of the state's population.
10
In 2021, 85.7 million people in the European Union were born outside their country of residence, equating to 19.2% of the EU population.
11
As of 2023, India overtook Mexico as the largest source of new U.S. immigrants, with 503,000 Indian immigrants arriving between 2017 and 2021.
12
In 2022, 26% of U.S. immigrants arrived before 1980, 23% between 1980-1989, 20% 1990-1999, 17% 2000-2009, and 14% 2010 or later.
13
The U.S. foreign-born population from Asia grew from 8.4 million in 2000 to 15.5 million in 2022, a 85% increase.
14
In 2022, 45.3% of U.S. immigrants were women, closely matching the 50.5% of U.S.-born population that are women.
15
Florida's immigrant population stood at 4.7 million in 2022, comprising 21.0% of the state's total population.
16
Globally, there were 281 million international migrants in 2020, up 60 million from 221 million in 2010.
17
In 2022, New York state had 4.5 million immigrants, making up 22.8% of its population.
18
The number of U.S. immigrants from Central America increased by 1.2 million between 2012 and 2022.
19
In 2021, 14.1% of the U.S. population aged 5 and older spoke a language other than English at home, with 8.6% speaking English less than very well.
20
Texas hosted 5.5 million immigrants in 2022, 19.4% of its total population.
21
In 2022, 29% of U.S. immigrants lived in just three metro areas: New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
22
The global migrant stock reached 3.6% of the world population in 2020, compared to 2.9% in 2000.
23
New Jersey had 2.2 million immigrants in 2022, 24.0% of its population.
24
Between 2010 and 2020, the number of female international migrants increased by 41 million to 131 million.
25
Illinois' immigrant population was 2.0 million in 2022, 15.6% of total.
26
In 2022, 81% of U.S. immigrants lived in 20 major metro areas.
27
Nevada had the highest immigrant share in 2022 at 19.8% of its population, totaling 613,000.
28
In the EU, non-EU citizens made up 6% of the population in 2022, totaling 27.3 million.
29
Massachusetts had 1.3 million immigrants in 2022, 18.7% of population.
30
In 2022, 23% of U.S. immigrants were Hispanic, 29% Asian, 6% Black, and 40% White.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
Amidst the heated political theater surrounding immigration, the cold, hard facts paint a more nuanced picture: America is a nation consistently and quietly transformed by a diverse, aging, and increasingly lawful immigrant population that, far from being a singular new wave, is a complex and established part of our social and economic fabric.
03 · Category
Economics29 stats
01
Immigrants accounted for 14% of the U.S. population in 2018, with projections to reach 18% by 2065.
02
In 2022, immigrants were 80% more likely to work in STEM occupations than U.S.-born workers.
03
Undocumented immigrants paid $35.1 billion in federal taxes and held $26.4 billion in spending power in 2022.
04
Immigrants founded or co-founded 55% of U.S. billion-dollar startups as of 2022.
05
In 2019, immigrants contributed $2 trillion to U.S. GDP, about 10% of total GDP.
06
First-generation immigrants had a labor force participation rate of 65.8% in 2022, compared to 61.3% for natives.
07
Immigrants in the U.S. had a median household income of $81,000in 2022, up 4% from 2021.
08
In 2021, immigrant-headed households paid $524.2 billion in taxes, including $264.3 billion federal and $259.9 billion state/local.
09
Immigrants were 25% more likely to start businesses than U.S.-born in 2022.
10
The foreign-born unemployment rate was 3.4% in 2023, below the native-born rate of 3.8%.
11
In FY 2022, immigrants filled 36% of U.S. nursing jobs and 26% of physician jobs.
12
Immigrant households in 2019 had $1.3 trillion in spending power.
13
In 2022, 28% of U.S. entrepreneurs were immigrants, starting firms at twice the rate of natives.
14
Undocumented immigrants contributed $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022 across 18 states studied.
15
Immigrants boosted U.S. GDP by $8 trillion cumulatively from 1990-2019.
16
In 2023, foreign-born workers made up 18.6% of the U.S. labor force, projected to 20% by 2033.
17
Immigrant innovators produced 35% of U.S. patents from 1975-2010.
18
In 2022, immigrants had 11.6% poverty rate vs. 8.5% for natives, but recent arrivals had higher at 20%.
19
DACA recipients contributed $42 billion to GDP in 2023.
20
Immigrants in construction made up 24% of the workforce in 2022, earning median $50,000 annually.
21
Legal immigrants paid 82% more in taxes over lifetime than they receive in benefits.
22
In 2021, foreign-born owned 11% of U.S. businesses, generating $1.6 trillion in sales.
23
H-1B visa holders added $158 billion to U.S. GDP annually.
24
Immigrants reduced housing costs by 5% through labor supply in high-immigration areas.
25
In 2022, 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children.
26
Refugee households had average annual income of $55,000after 10 years in U.S.
27
Immigrants in 2023 filled 70% of U.S. farmworker jobs.
28
In 2016, immigration increased average wages by 1-2% for U.S.-born workers.
29
Immigrants aged 25-54 had employment rate of 77% in 2022 vs. 75% natives.
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
Contrary to the persistent myth of the draining immigrant, the data paints a portrait of a demographic that is essentially propping up the American economy, innovating our future, filling our hospitals, building our homes, and—with relentless entrepreneurial hustle—quietly paying the bill for a nation that often debates their worth.
More related reading
04 · Category
Education and Health30 stats
01
In 2022, 33% of U.S. physicians were foreign-born.
02
Immigrant students made up 5.6% of U.S. college enrollment in 2021.
03
Foreign-born adults had higher college completion rates in STEM fields: 57% vs. 40% natives in 2022.
04
In 2023, 28% of U.S. nurses were foreign-born, primarily from Philippines and India.
05
Second-generation immigrants outperformed natives in educational attainment: 50% bachelor's degree vs. 42% in 2022.
06
Immigrant children had English proficiency rates of 72% after 5 years in U.S. schools.
07
In 2021, foreign-born residents were 1.5 times more likely to have health insurance than undocumented.
08
DACA recipients had college enrollment 22% higher than eligible non-recipients in 2022.
09
Immigrants aged 25+ had 34% college attainment rate in 2022, surpassing natives' 33%.
10
Foreign-trained doctors filled 25% of U.S. physician shortages in rural areas in 2023.
11
In 2022, 45% of international students in U.S. pursued STEM degrees.
12
Immigrant mothers had lower preterm birth rates (7.5%) than U.S.-born (10.4%) in 2021.
13
English learners in U.S. schools improved reading scores by 20% with dual-language programs.
14
Foreign-born adults over 65 had lower obesity rates (34%) than natives (41%) in 2022.
15
In 2023, 60% of U.S. medical residents were immigrants or children of immigrants.
16
Immigrant students scored 10% higher in math in urban districts with integration programs.
17
Undocumented immigrants had life expectancy 3.8 years longer than natives in 2021.
18
In 2022, 22% of U.S. public school students were children of immigrants.
19
Foreign-born had lower smoking rates (9%) vs. natives (14%) in 2022 NHIS data.
20
H-1B visa holders in academia produced 20% more publications per researcher.
21
Immigrant women had cervical cancer screening rates 15% higher than natives.
22
In 2021, English proficiency among immigrants rose to 54% speaking English very well.
23
Refugee students achieved high school graduation rates of 85% after 8 years.
24
Foreign-born physicians had patient mortality rates 10% lower in hospitals.
25
In 2022, 36% of U.S. dentists were foreign-born.
26
Second-generation had 96% high school completion vs. 94% natives.
27
Immigrants had lower mental health hospitalization rates (20% less) than natives.
28
In 2023, 50% of U.S. biotech workforce was foreign-born.
29
Immigrant children in Head Start programs showed 15% vocabulary gains.
30
Foreign-born adults 18-64 had diabetes prevalence of 9.5% vs. 11.9% natives.
Interpretation
Education and Health Interpretation
America’s immigrant story is one where, despite starting behind the starting line, they are statistically outpacing the home team in education, health, and literally saving our lives in hospitals and rural clinics.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Immigrant Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigrant-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Immigrant Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/immigrant-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Immigrant Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/immigrant-statistics.
Sources & references
64 datasets cited across this report