These are among the key facts in a census profile of New York City�s Korean American population, released today by the Asian American Federation of New York, a nonprofit leadership organization. Based on an analysis of 2000 and 1990 U.S. census data, the profile is the latest in a series of demographic portraits that the Federation�s Census Information Center (CIC), a source of census data and analysis, has prepared to expand understanding of Asian American populations. The Korean American profile is available on the Federation�s Web site at www.aafny.org.

The Federation will highlight profile content and answer questions at a community briefing Wednesday, April 21, from 6 to 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Queens Borough Public Library - Flushing Branch, at 41-17 Main St. in Flushing. Media representatives are welcome.

"Our profile provides information on the Korean American population that will be valuable to community service providers and others who share our organization�s commitment to improving the quality of life of Asian Americans," said Dr. Yung Duk Kim, chairperson of the board of the Asian American Federation. "We will be engaging the community in discussion and promoting partnerships to address issues and needs suggested by our census analysis."

Cao K. O, executive director of the Asian American Federation, noted: "The levels of recent immigration, English limitations and senior-citizen poverty common among Korean American New Yorkers point to needs for increased cultural inclusion, language access and economic opportunities. We look forward to exploring these topics and pursuing solutions with community leaders."

The Federation�s analysis revealed the following (referring to 2000 census data unless stated otherwise):

• From 1990 to 2000, New York City�s Korean American population grew by 30 percent - from 69,718 to 90,896.
• Nearly 8 in 10 (79 percent, or 71,907) Korean Americans in New York City in 2000 were immigrants - compared with 36 percent of all city residents. Of the city�s Korean immigrants, 43 percent came to the United States in 1990 or later.
• About 40 percent (29,454) of all Korean American adults and almost three-quarters (73 percent, or 4,591) of elderly Koreans in New York City spoke English "not well" or "not at all." By comparison, 27 percent of all adults and 49 percent of all senior citizens in the city met this census definition of "Limited English Proficiency."
• The majority (60 percent, or 38,389) of Korean American adults in New York City had a post-secondary education, while 48 percent of all adult New Yorkers had that level of schooling.
• More than 1 in 4 (28 percent, or 1,716) elderly Korean American New Yorkers lived below the poverty line - far surpassing the city�s overall senior-citizen poverty rate of 18 percent. However, poverty rates for Koreans in general (17 percent) and Korean children (14 percent) in New York were lower than comparable city-wide rates (21 percent and 30 percent, respectively).
• Queens was home to 70 percent (63,906) of Korean American New Yorkers. The next-largest Korean concentrations were in Manhattan, with 14 percent (12,459) of the city�s Korean residents; Brooklyn, with 8 percent (7,392); the Bronx, with 4 percent (3,750); and Staten Island, with 4 percent (3,389).

The Asian American Federation of New York is a nonprofit leadership organization that works collaboratively to meet the critical needs of Asian Americans in the New York metropolitan area. Operating since 1990, the Federation strengthens community-based health and social services capacity by supporting its 35 member agencies and other grassroots organizations; amplifies the Asian American civic voice by defining, analyzing, and advocating for policies to address key community issues; and encourages strategic, high-impact philanthropy within the Asian American community by increasing opportunities for connecting time, talent and financial resources with pressing community needs. For more information, visit www.aafny.org or call 212-344-5878.

The U.S. Census Bureau selected the Federation to operate the only Census Information Center (CIC) in the New York metropolitan area focused on serving the Asian American community. Established in 2000, the center provides census information, conducts data and policy analysis, and encourages census participation. The CIC is publishing a series of population profiles to increase understanding of the rapidly growing and diverse Asian American community. The Citigroup Foundation and the C.J. Huang Foundation have provided funding to support the profile series.

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Download the Profile (PDF 539kb)