Taiwanese American Settlement Patterns
Source: Wikipedia - Taiwanese Americans
Extracted: 2026-05-12
Data: 2024 ACS 5-year estimates
Population Growth
- 2000: 144,795 Taiwanese Americans
- 2010: 230,382 Taiwanese Americans (+59%)
- 2013: 68% born outside US, 67% of foreign-born are naturalized citizens
- 2024: Record 137,000 Taiwanese went overseas to work in the US
Key Settlement Areas
California Communities
Southern California
- Arcadia, San Marino, Temple City, South Pasadena, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, Diamond Bar
- Monterey Park: Historic center, still hosts annual Taiwanese cultural events during Taiwanese Heritage Week. Home to Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church (好牧者)
- San Gabriel Valley: Heart of the Taiwanese American community — home to FPCLA, Good Shepherd Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, First Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, LA Taiwanese Cultural Association, and TARSA
New York Communities
- Flushing, Queens: Main Taiwanese cultural, commercial, and political center in NYC
- Forest Hills: Major Taiwanese community
- Nassau County: Large Taiwanese population
- Jersey City & Hoboken, NJ: Significant concentrations
Other Major Centers
- Houston, TX: Bellaire Boulevard area (new Chinatown)
- Bellevue, WA: Greater Seattle “Eastside”
- Rockville, MD: Northwest of Washington D.C.
- Sugar Land, TX: Near Houston
- Plano, TX: Near Dallas
- Chandler, AZ: Near Phoenix
- Atlanta, GA: Northeastern suburbs
U.S. States by Taiwanese American Population (2024 ACS)
| State | Population | % of State |
|---|---|---|
| California | 120,472 | 0.3046% |
| Texas | 21,530 | 0.0738% |
| New York | 20,758 | 0.1027% |
| Washington | 13,488 | 0.1750% |
| New Jersey | 11,208 | 0.1206% |
| Massachusetts | 8,888 | 0.1264% |
| Illinois | 7,832 | 0.0611% |
| Maryland | 5,463 | 0.0884% |
| Virginia | 5,079 | 0.0588% |
| Florida | 4,757 | 0.0220% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,986 | 0.0306% |
| Georgia | 3,972 | 0.0370% |
| Michigan | 3,473 | 0.0344% |
| Ohio | 3,232 | 0.0273% |
| Arizona | 3,192 | 0.0446% |
| Oregon | 3,079 | 0.0726% |
| North Carolina | 3,049 | 0.0292% |
| Colorado | 2,562 | 0.0443% |
| Nevada | 2,372 | 0.0764% |
| Missouri | 2,021 | 0.0328% |
Settlement Patterns Notes
- Most communities formed after 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act
- School district prestige and high-tech careers heavily influence settlement choices
- Flushing, Queens reflects new investments from Taiwan into newer enclaves vs traditional Chinatowns
- Monterey Park was historic center but no longer largest in LA County
- TSMC Arizona megaproject driving new migration to Chandler area