Majorities of Asian residents align on what matters most to their identity: family, gender, ethnicity and “being American.”
Factors such as religion, national origin, cultural traditions, migration histories and language shape Asian residents in different ways, especially for immigrants navigating both “Asian” and “American” identities.
This brief examines key sources of identity, their components and how these sources cluster, highlighting the complexity of identities within and across Asian communities in the Houston region. Data comes from a survey of more than 2,100 Asian residents across Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris and Montgomery counties conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. It is part of a series highlighting findings from the Asian American Community Study, a multiyear initiative exploring the diverse experiences, attitudes and beliefs of this dynamic and fast-growing population group in the Houston region.
Key findings
When examining factors that influence identity:
- Family role was important to 79%-96% of all groups, though household composition (children, multigenerational) differed.
- Most households consisted of adults only (25%–48%) or adults with children (22%–43%).
- A smaller share (2%–15%) lived in multigenerational households.
- Gender was important to 74%-94% of all groups, but views on women’s roles varied.
- Less than 1 in 4 Japanese, Filipino and multiracial Asian respondents agreed that “women should prioritize having children and raising a family above all else.”
- Support was higher among Pakistani residents (50%) and Vietnamese residents (46%).
- Ethnicity was important to 70%-80% of all groups.
- The sense of closeness to others of the same ethnicity was strongest among Asian Indian, Filipino and Pakistani respondents.
- “Being American” was an important to at least 59% of all groups.
- Rates were highest among Pakistani (86%), Asian Indian (79%), Filipino (75%) and Vietnamese (71%) residents.
- Respondents generally preferred the labels “Asian” and “Asian American” over “American.”
- Religion and local community mattered to some groups but not others, while political party was less commonly viewed as important across all groups.
Support for this community project is made possible by a generous donation from Anne and Albert Chao through the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation.
Suggested citation: Simburger, D., Bao, K., & Potter, D. (2026). Asian American Community Study: Creating identity in the Greater Houston area. Houston, TX: Houston Education Research Consortium, Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University. DOI: doi.org/10.25611/2W61-SN21
