"The Diverse Face of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County"

Asian Pacific American Legal Center - 040011

Abstract Number: 040011

March 2004

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) published a report entitled "The Diverse Face of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County" to provide detailed demographic information on over 20 Asian and Pacific Islander (API) groups in Los Angeles County. The report is intended for the public, community groups, government agencies, and policy makers. APALC compiled this report to provide a richer understanding of the API community in Los Angeles County while also highlighting the needs and the diversity within this community. While the data focuses on Los Angeles County, much of the disaggregated information by ethnic group (e.g., poverty levels) holds true across the United States.

APALC's Demographic Research Unit compiled the report from 2000 census data and data provided by the L.A. County Public Health Service and UCLA. This report presents the data thematically and the report includes sections on Race and Ethnicity, Geographic Concentration, Economic Indicators, Social Characteristics, Language, Immigration and Citizenship, Health Indicators, comparative data for all of California, and comparative data for all of the United States. There is also a chart that compares API ethnic groups to each other and to other populations on key issues like poverty and education.

The key findings of the report are:

• For the third decade in a row, Asians and Pacific Islanders were the fastest growing major racial/ethnic group in Los Angeles County.
• While collectively Asians rate above average on socioeconomic status measures, Pacific Islanders and many individual Asian groups fall well below average, some groups being among the most poverty stricken and least educated in L.A. County.
• Asian groups have alarmingly high rates of limited English proficiency and linguistic isolation.
• Asians and Pacific Islanders have the highest multiracial rates of all major racial/ethnic groups.

Access the full report online as a PDF document through the link below on APALC's website. Hardcopies may be purchased for $8.00, plus $2.00 shipping, per report from APALC by completing the order form which is available online. For more information on ordering hardcopies, contact Kimiko Kelly at email.

Contact Information:

Karin Wang
Vice-President, Programs
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
1145 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles CA 90017
Phone: (213) 977-7500
Fax: (213) 977-7595
email

Additional Information:

• "The Diverse Face of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County," Asian American Pacific Legal Center, 2004. (PDF).

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