The foreign-born population in the United States has grown considerably over the past 50 years in both size and share of the U.S. population.1 In 1970, it numbered 9.6 million (4.7 percent) of the total U.S. population (Figure 1). By 2022, it was estimated to be 46.2 million (13.9 percent) of the total U.S. population.
New data shows New Mexico is the only state with a drop in its foreign-born population. Many immigrants are reportedly choosing not to live in the state.
9.2% of people in New Mexico were not born in America – compared to the U.S. average of more than 13%.
The U.S. Census Bureau released a report on this earlier this week. The data was taken over two five-year time periods, ending in 2022.
In California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida, foreign-born individuals constituted more than 20 percent of the state’s population.