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US Immigration Levels: A Historical View

Current US immigration is analyzed against historical data from the Census Bureau since 1850, looking at both absolute numbers and population share.

The foreign-born population reached 50 million in 2024, an all-time high in the series. Numbers rose until 1930, fell until 1970, and have since increased substantially.

As a share of the total US population, immigrants made up 13%-15% in the late 1800s. This share dropped to under 5% by 1970 before rising again.

In 2024, immigrants comprised about 15% of the US population, similar to the 19th-century peak. This indicates the current share has been matched historically.

A key difference is the origin of immigrants. Historically, most were from Europe. More recently, growth is from Latin America and Asia.

Country of origin has also shifted. In 1900, Germany and Ireland were major sources. By 2024, Mexico is the largest source, followed by India and China.

The Census Bureau's definition includes unauthorized immigrants and naturalized citizens, excluding those born abroad as US citizens. It does not separate legal and illegal immigration.

Limitations include potential undercounting in surveys and the inability to directly track legal status or border crossings.

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