According to the Commerce Department's Census Bureau, the Number of Asian-Owned Businesses Increased at More Than Twice the National Rate

In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Census Bureau has released highlights of the latest data on our nation's Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander populations from the 2010 Census and 2007 Survey of Business Owners.

Some of the latest statistics show:

• There are 17.3 million U.S. residents of Asian descent, according to the 2010 Census, making up 5.6 percent of the total population.
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders make up 0.4 percent of the population, totaling 1.2 million people, according to the 2010 Census.
• Between the 2000 and 2010 Censuses, the Asian alone or in combination population grew 46 % – more than any other major race group.
• The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone or in combination population grew by 40 % between the 2000 and 2010 Censuses.
• Fifty percent of single-race Asians 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education in 2009, compared with 28 percent for all Americans 25 and older.
• Fourteen percent of single-race Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders 25 and older had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2009.
• U.S. businesses owned by people of Asian origin increased 40.4 percent to 1.5 million between 2002 and 2007, increasing at more than twice the national rate.  
• Native Hawaiian- and Other Pacific Islander-owned businesses grew by 30.6 percent from 2002 to 2007, totaling 37,809 businesses.

Find out more about the Asian and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities in the United States with Census's Facts for Features Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. For business information specific to these communities, visit Census's Press Release on Asian-Owned Businesses.