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MARCH 2012 FACT SHEET ON SOUTH ASIAN IN

South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) is conducting demographic research to reveal the critical issues confronting South and work in partnership with the community to achieve solutions. This research is intended to provide insights about to a variety of audiences – community- based organizations, policymakers, government officials, media outlets, and the public at large. SAAPRI’s full demographic report will be released in the summer of 2012.

Executive Summary:

• South Asian Americans have grown significantly in Illinois over the past decade, and our views and concerns must be considered during the decision-making process for any policy that impacts the local Asian American population.

• The large number of eligible voters in our community indicates the great potential for political empowerment, but it also indicates the need for education about civic engagement.

• Limited English proficiency is a growing concern for South Asian Americans, and it serves as a barrier to voting and civic engagement, as well as access to quality health care, education, and social services.

• There has been a sizable growth in the number of seniors and youth in the local South Asian American community, pointing to the need for appropriate services and opportunities for these groups.

• Analysis of other socioeconomic factors will provide greater insight into the unique concerns of the community such as, for example, low return on education.

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Significant Growth Since 2000: Due to our large numbers and our rapid growth, South Asian Americans’ views and concerns must be considered during the decision-making process for any policy that impacts the local Asian American population.

GROWTH OF SOUTH ASIAN AMERICAN POPULATION BETWEEN 2000 AND 2010

SUBURBAN SIX COUNTY AREA ILLINOIS

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

• According to the 2010 Census, there are approximately 240,000 South Asian Americans in Illinois, including people of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan descent. 42,500 South Asian Americans live in Chicago, and 171,000 live in the suburban six-county area (Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, and Will).

• are by far the largest subgroup of Asian Americans in Illinois and the suburban six-county area. South Asian Americans, when counted together, represent an even more significant percentage of the Asian American population. South Asian Americans represent about 34% of the state’s Asian American population and almost 2% of the state’s overall population.

• Since 2000, South Asians have grown by over 55% in Illinois, according to the . Most of this growth has taken place in the Chicago suburbs. The South Asian population grew by about 64% in the suburban six- county area, as opposed to 18% growth in the city of Chicago.

• The highest concentrations are in Cook and DuPage counties, with 122,000 South Asian Americans living in Cook County (42,500 in Chicago and 79,500 in suburban Cook) and 52,500 South Asian Americans living in DuPage County. In DuPage County, South Asian Americans make up over 50% of the Asian American population and almost 6% of the total population.

GROWTH IN ILLINOIS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2010 Indian 52% Pakistani 75% Bangladeshi 153% Sri Lankan 104%

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Citizenship Status: The large number of eligible voters in our community indicates the great potential for political empowerment, but it also indicates the need for education about civic engagement.

South Asian Americans in Illinois Indian Americans US-BORN CITIZEN U.S.-born Citizen 31% 39% NATURALIZED Naturalized Citizen 36% 42% CITIZEN Citizen (total) 67% 81% NON-CITIZEN Non-citizen 33% 19% Foreign-born 69% 61%

• According to the 2008-2010 American Community Survey, among South Asian Americans in Illinois, approximately 68% are citizens (36% naturalized + 32% U.S.-born) and 32% are non-citizens.

• There are over 155,000 South Asian Americans in Illinois who are United States citizens, including over 131,000 Indian Americans and 24,000 Pakistani Americans.

Limited English Proficiency: Limited English proficiency is a growing concern for South Asian Americans, and it serves as a barrier to voting and civic engagement, as well as access to quality health care, education, and social services.

• Approximately 26% of the South Asian American population speaks English “less than very well,” according to the 2008-2010 American Community Survey – over 55,000 people. The percentage is nearly identical among Indian Americans and Pakistani Americans.

• Because of the high number of limited English proficient Indian Americans who are eligible to vote, the City of Chicago and suburban Cook County election boards are now legally required to provide language assistance in , Gujarati, and .

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Other Socioeconomic Factors: Analysis of other socioeconomic factors will provide greater insight into the unique concerns of the community such as, for example, increased need for services for youth and seniors and low return on education.

• Since 2000, the number of South Asian American youth in Illinois has grown by 63% and South Asian American seniors grew by over 160%. This sizable growth points to the need for appropriate services and opportunities for youth and seniors.

$90,000 • While household income among $80,000 South Asian Americans appears high, $70,000 $60,000 many live in large, multigenerational $50,000 households. $40,000 $30,000 Average Per Capita • Per capita income levels might $20,000 Income in Illinois $10,000 provide more insight; according to $0 Median Household the 2008-2010 American Community Income in Illinois Survey, the average per capita income is $24,001 for Indians and $22,748 for in Illinois, compared to $28,424 in the general population.

• 72% of Indians and 57% of Educaon Level in Illinois: Bachelor's degree or higher Pakistanis have at least a 100% bachelor’s degree, compared to 80% 30% of the general Illinois population. 60% 40% • Considering that the groups’ per 20% capita income levels are similar, 0% this might indicate that South General populaon Indian Americans Pakistani Americans Asian Americans in Illinois face low return on education.

SAAPRI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 2001 to improve the lives of South Asian Americans in the Chicago area, by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible public policy. SAAPRI welcomes your input as we prepare our full demographic report, which will be released in the summer of 2012. SAAPRI thanks Asian American Institute for serving as our fiscal sponsor.

South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) [email protected] (773) 373-9750 http://www.saapri.org