🇺🇸 Foreign-Born Population in the United States: Largest Immigrant Groups in the USA (1850–2026)
The United States is often described as a nation of immigrants. From the mid-19th century to the present day, successive waves of foreign-born populations have shaped the country’s economy, culture, cities, and identity. Between 1850 and 2026, immigration patterns in the U.S. shifted dramatically — from European dominance to a truly global mix led by Latin America and Asia.
This article explores the foreign-born population in the United States, highlighting the largest immigrant groups by country of birth, major historical phases, demographic trends, and key insights over more than 170 years.
📜 Early Immigration Era (1850–1880)
European Foundations
In 1850, the U.S. foreign-born population stood at approximately 2.2 million, around 10% of the total population. Immigration during this period was driven by:
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Industrialization
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Westward expansion
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Political unrest and famine in Europe
Largest Immigrant Groups:
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Ireland (especially after the Great Famine)
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Germany
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United Kingdom
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Canada
Irish and German immigrants formed the backbone of urban labor forces and rural farming communities, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest.
🚢 Mass European Migration (1880–1920)
The Great Immigration Wave
This era marked the largest proportional immigration surge in U.S. history.
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Over 23 million immigrants arrived
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The foreign-born share peaked at ~15% in 1910
New Source Regions:
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Southern Europe (Italy)
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Eastern Europe (Poland, Russia)
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Jewish migration from the Russian Empire
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Scandinavia
Top Countries of Birth (circa 1910):
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Italy
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Germany
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Russia
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Austria-Hungary
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Ireland
Immigrants transformed cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia into global metropolises.
🚫 Restriction and Decline (1924–1965)
Immigration Quotas
The Immigration Acts of 1921 and 1924 imposed strict national quotas favoring Northern Europeans and drastically reducing overall immigration.
By 1970, the foreign-born population fell to less than 5%, the lowest level in U.S. history.
Dominant Groups During This Period:
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Germany
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Italy
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Canada
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United Kingdom
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Mexico (limited but continuous migration)
This era slowed demographic change and reinforced European dominance in the immigrant population.
🌎 The Modern Immigration System Begins (1965–1980)
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
This landmark law abolished race-based quotas and opened the door to non-European immigration.
Immediate Effects:
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Rapid growth in Asian immigration
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Expansion of Latin American migration
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Family reunification became a key driver
Emerging Immigrant Groups:
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Mexico
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Philippines
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China
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Korea
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India
This law fundamentally reshaped America’s demographic future.
📈 Latin American & Asian Growth (1980–2000)
By 1990, the foreign-born population had rebounded to ~8% and continued rising.
Largest Immigrant Groups (1990):
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Mexico
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Philippines
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Canada
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Cuba
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China
Mexico became the single largest source country, driven by labor demand, geographic proximity, and family migration networks.
Asian immigrants increasingly entered through:
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Skilled worker visas
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Education-to-residency pathways
🌐 Global Immigration Era (2000–2015)
By 2010, the U.S. foreign-born population exceeded 40 million, representing ~13% of the population.
Top Countries of Birth:
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Mexico
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China
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India
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Philippines
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Vietnam
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El Salvador
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Cuba
Key characteristics of this era:
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Highly educated Asian immigrant inflows
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Continued growth from Central America
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Large undocumented population growth (peaking around 2007)
🇺🇸 Foreign-Born Population in the U.S. (2020–2026)
Recent Trends
By 2026, the U.S. foreign-born population is estimated at 47–48 million, about 14–15% of the total population, approaching historic highs but still below the 1910 peak.
Largest Immigrant Groups by Country (2026 Estimate):
| Rank | Country of Birth | Estimated Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico | ~10.6 million |
| 2 | India | ~3.1 million |
| 3 | China | ~2.6 million |
| 4 | Philippines | ~2.1 million |
| 5 | El Salvador | ~1.6 million |
| 6 | Vietnam | ~1.4 million |
| 7 | Cuba | ~1.3 million |
| 8 | Dominican Republic | ~1.2 million |
| 9 | Guatemala | ~1.1 million |
| 10 | South Korea | ~1.0 million |
Regional Breakdown (2026):
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Latin America: ~50%
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Asia: ~30%
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Europe: ~12%
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Africa & Middle East: ~8%
🧠 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🇮🇪 Irish immigrants were once the largest foreign-born group in the U.S.
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🇩🇪 German ancestry is the most commonly self-reported ancestry today
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🇲🇽 Mexico has been the #1 source country since the 1980s
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🇮🇳 India is the fastest-growing large immigrant group
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🇨🇳 Chinese immigration surged both in the 1800s and post-2000s
🤔 Did You Know?
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Nearly 1 in 7 U.S. residents is foreign-born
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Over 350 languages are spoken in American homes
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Immigrants account for ~25% of U.S. entrepreneurs
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Cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami are among the most immigrant-dense in the world
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Immigration contributes significantly to population growth as native birth rates decline
📊 Long-Term Trends (1850–2026)
| Period | Dominant Immigrant Groups |
|---|---|
| 1850–1880 | Irish, German, British |
| 1880–1920 | Italian, Eastern European |
| 1924–1965 | Restricted European |
| 1965–1980 | Latin American & Asian |
| 1980–2000 | Mexican-led growth |
| 2000–2026 | Global diversification |
📝 Conclusion
From Irish laborers and German farmers to Mexican workers and Indian engineers, immigration has continuously reshaped the United States. The period from 1850 to 2026 reveals a nation constantly evolving — not away from its immigrant roots, but deeper into them.
As demographic, economic, and geopolitical forces continue to change, immigration remains one of the defining forces of American history and identity.
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📈 Interpretation of the Growth Curve
🔼 1850–1910: Industrial & European Boom
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Ellis Island era
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Labor demand + famine & unrest in Europe
🔽 1924–1965: Immigration Collapse
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Quota laws
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Global wars
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Foreign-born share cut by 2/3
🔼 1965–2026: Global Immigration Era
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Latin America + Asia dominate
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Family reunification + skilled visas
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Return near historical peak (but with different origins)
🌍 Regional Share of Immigrants (2026)
| Region | % Share |
|---|---|
| Latin America | ~50% |
| Asia | ~30% |
| Europe | ~12% |
| Africa & Middle East | ~8% |
🧠 Key Takeaways (Great for Charts / Callouts)
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🇮🇪 Irish once dominated → 🇲🇽 Mexico now dominates
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🇩🇪 Germans were once #1 — now not even top 20
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🇮🇳 India is the fastest-growing major group
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🇨🇳 China has risen twice historically
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U.S. immigration today is the most diverse ever
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