Fueled by immigration and domestic migration, Houston's Asian communities are rapidly growing and highly diverse.
Over the past 40 years, the proportion of Asian residents in the overall Houston-area population has grown from 1.8% to 9.9%, making it one of the fastest-growing populations in the country. From 2010 to 2023, the Asian population grew 53% in Harris County, 88% in Brazoria County, 117% in Fort Bend County and 180% in Montgomery County.
This brief examines the diverse ethnic groups often under the general label “Asian,” highlighting differences in composition, nativity, generational status, education and income. It draws on data from the 2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates and a survey of more than 2,100 Asian residents across Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris and Montgomery counties. Quotes and stories captured by the Houston Asian American Archive add personal context to the data.
This brief 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 population group in the Houston region.
Key findings
- The region’s Asian population is highly diverse, encompassing at least 24 distinct ethnic groups.
- In total, over 655,000 Asian residents live in the four-county area.
- Asian Indians are the single-largest Asian ethnic group in the region with over 150,000 residents.
- The other most populous groups are Vietnamese, Chinese/Taiwanese, Filipino, Pakistani, Korean and Japanese.
- Most Asian residents in the Houston area are foreign-born, though generational status varies significantly across ethnic groups.
- About two-thirds of the population are first-generation (born outside the U.S.).
- About a quarter of the population are second-generation (U.S.-born).
- About 7% are third-generation or beyond.
- Education has traditionally been a pathway to mobility, a trend evident in many Asian American narratives.
- More than half (54%) have a four-year degree or higher.
- Nearly 30% hold a graduate or professional degree, with the highest rates among Asian Indian (46%), Chinese/Taiwanese (39%), Japanese (37%) and Korean (37%).
- About 20% have some college or an associate’s degree.
- While prospering overall, the Asian community has the largest economic and educational disparities of any major race/ethnicity group in the U.S.
- Nearly half of households (46%) report incomes over $100,000.
- A quarter of households earn under $50,000.
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: Bao, K. Y., Potter, D., & Simburger, D. (2026). Asian American Community Study: Individual and household characteristics in the Greater Houston area. Houston, TX: Houston Population Research Center, Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University. DOI: doi.org/10.25611/f6bz-1k58
