Filipino Population in California: 2020 Census Data

According to the 2020 United States Census, California is home to 1,598,424 Filipino Americans, making it the state with the largest Filipino population in the country by a wide margin.

Key Statistics

• Total Filipino alone or in combination: 1,598,424
• Filipino alone: ~1,200,000
• Filipino in combination: ~400,000
• Percentage of California population: ~4%
• Percentage of US Filipino population: ~43% (of ~3.7M total)

Geographic Concentration

Major Filipino communities in California:

• Greater Los Angeles: Historic Filipinotown, Carson, Cerritos, West Covina, Eagle Rock, Glendale
• San Francisco Bay Area: Daly City ("Little Manila"), San Francisco (SoMa), Union City, Vallejo, Hercules
• San Diego County: National City, Chula Vista, Mira Mesa
• Central Valley: Stockton (historic "Little Manila"), Sacramento, Fresno
• Inland Empire: Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga

Historical Context

• 1903-1930s: Pensionados (government scholars), farmworkers (asparagus, lettuce, grapes)
• 1940s-1960s: Military recruitment (US Navy), war brides, post-WWII migration
• 1965-present: Immigration and Nationality Act; family reunification, professionals (nurses, engineers)
• 1990s-present: Secondary migration from Hawaii, Illinois, New York

Demographic Profile (Census/ACS)

• Median age: ~35 (younger than state average)
• Educational attainment: >50% bachelor's degree+ (among highest)
• Median household income: ~$100K+ (well above state/national averages)
• Homeownership: ~65%
• Citizenship: ~75% naturalized or native-born

Cultural Impact

• Politics: Multiple state legislators, city councilmembers, first Fil-Am Attorney General (Rob Bonta)
• Healthcare: Disproportionate representation in nursing, medicine
• Culture: Pistahan Parade (SF), FilAm Arts Festival (LA), numerous community organizations
• Cuisine: Jollibee, Red Ribbon, Seafood City, countless independent restaurants

California's Filipino community reflects both deep historical roots (dating to 1587 Morro Bay landing) and ongoing vitality as the primary gateway for Filipino immigration to the United States.