Nepali American Population Triples in the US within 7 Years
The Nepali American population in the United States has quadrupled over the past 10 years.
The Nepali American population in the United States has witnessed an astounding threefold increase over the past seven years, according to recent statistics. This surge in numbers has significant implications, especially in New York City, where nearly 11,000 Nepali Americans are eligible to participate in local, state and federal elections.
The data obtained from the Department of Homeland Security reveals that approximately 11,000 individuals of Nepali origin have obtained American citizenship in New York City alone.
The Department of Homeland Security further reports that the total number of Nepalis who have acquired US citizenship has reached a remarkable 75,000. Approximately 15 percent of this population resides in New York. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 5,794 Nepalis obtained American citizenship in the fiscal year 2020, followed by 7,232 individuals in 2021. When adding data from fiscal years 2022 and 2023, the tally of Nepalis obtaining American citizenship reaches 75,000.
Analyzing past years, in the fiscal year 2019, a total of 7,409 Nepalis acquired American citizenship, with 3,577 women and 3,832 men among them. Of these, 810 were residents of New York, 1,204 were residents of Texas, and 601 were residents of California.
The numbers from 2018 indicate that 5,352 Nepalese individuals took US citizenship. Among them, 718 were residents of New York, with Texas and California following closely with 570 and 534 residents, respectively.
In 2017, 4,509 Nepalis became US citizens, including 560 residents of New York and 520 residents of California. The previous year, in 2016, 5,004 Nepalis took American citizenship, with 629 New York residents and the highest number, 655 individuals, from Texas.
The data from the US government’s immigration statistics office reveals that the number of Nepalis obtaining US citizenship was a mere 2,616 by 1990. In that year alone, only 37 Nepalis took American citizenship.
Prior to that, in 1989, 35 Nepalis became American citizens, followed by 31 individuals in 1988 and 22 individuals in 1987.
The numbers gradually increased in subsequent years. In 1991, 56 Nepalis received American citizenship, followed by 44 in 1992, 46 in 1993, 70 in 1994, 60 in 1995, 119 in 1996, 78 in 1997, and 82 in 1998.
The trend continued to rise with 143 individuals in 1999, 205 in 2001, 247 in 2002, 318 in 2003, and 408 in 2004 acquiring American citizenship. Similarly, 417 individuals became US citizens in 2005, 575 in 2006, 638 in 2007, 953 in 2008, 1,632 in 2009, 2,185 in 2010, and 2,235 in 2011.
In 2012, the number of Nepalis obtaining American citizenship reached 2,448. The following year, in 2013, 2,711 Nepalis took the path to US citizenship. In 2014, the count increased to 2,888 individuals, and in 2015, a significant jump occurred with 4,225 Nepalis becoming American citizens.
With this remarkable growth in the Nepali American population and the increasing number of citizens, their presence is expected to have a notable impact on various aspects of American society, including politics and elections.
The surge in Nepali Americans, particularly in New York City, where a significant portion resides, is poised to shape the dynamics of local, state and national elections. With approximately 11,000 Nepali American voters eligible to participate in the upcoming November elections, their collective voice and voting power can significantly influence the outcomes.
While the number of Nepali American voters registered as Democrats or Republicans for the primaries remains uncertain, the unaffiliated Nepali American voters will have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights in the general elections. This indicates a growing engagement and participation of the Nepali American community in the democratic process, signaling their increasing influence in shaping policies and decisions that impact their lives and communities.
Year | Number of Nepalis Obtaining American Citizenship
——————————————————–
Prior 1987 | 2491 (Approx.)
1987 | 22
1988 | 31
1989 | 35
1990 | 37
1991 | 56
1992 | 44
1993 | 46
1994 | 70
1995 | 60
1996 | 119
1997 | 78
1998 | 82
1999 | 143
2000 | 204
2001 | 205
2002 | 247
2003 | 318
2004 | 408
2005 | 417
2006 | 575
2007 | 638
2008 | 953
2009 | 1,632
2010 | 2,185
2011 | 2,235
2012 | 2,448
2013 | 2,711
2014 | 2,888
2015 | 4,225
2016 | 5,004
2017 | 4,509
2018 | 5,352
2019 | 7,409
2020 | 5,794
2021 | 7,232
2022, 2023 | 16,000 (Approx.)
Source: DHS
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
