How Many Immigrants Are in the United States?
As of 2024, there are approximately 46.2 million foreign-born residents in the United States, making up 13.9% of the total population of 333 million. This includes naturalized citizens, green card holders, temporary visa holders, refugees, and unauthorized immigrants.
Breakdown by Legal Status
Over half of all foreign-born residents are naturalized U.S. citizens. The unauthorized population represents less than a quarter of all immigrants.
Foreign-born individuals who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.
Non-citizens authorized to live and work permanently in the U.S.
Foreign-born residents without legal authorization, including visa overstays and border crossers.
Students, temporary workers (H-1B, L-1), and other non-immigrant visa holders.
Individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum, not yet naturalized.
Top 10 Source Countries
Top 10 States by Immigrant Population
| # | State | Foreign-Born | % of State Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.5M | 26.8% |
| 2 | Texas | 5.0M | 17.1% |
| 3 | Florida | 4.6M | 20.8% |
| 4 | New York | 4.5M | 22.6% |
| 5 | New Jersey | 2.1M | 22.8% |
| 6 | Illinois | 1.8M | 14.2% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 1.2M | 17.2% |
| 8 | Georgia | 1.1M | 10.2% |
| 9 | Virginia | 1.1M | 12.2% |
| 10 | Washington | 1.0M | 13% |
Historical Trend: Foreign-Born Population
The foreign-born share of the U.S. population peaked at 14.8% in 1890 and hit a low of 4.7% in 1970 after decades of restrictive quotas. Today's 13.9% is near the historical high but not unprecedented.
📊 Putting the Numbers in Context
The claim that immigration is at “unprecedented levels” is only half true. In absolute numbers, yes — 46.2 million is the highest ever. But as a share of population (13.9%), we're still below the 1890 peak of 14.8%. America has always been a nation of immigrants, and today is no exception.
More importantly, over 77% of immigrants are here legally. The unauthorized population (10.5M) has been roughly stable since 2008 — the net growth in immigration has been almost entirely through legal channels.
The libertarian perspective: 46.2 million people chose to come here because the U.S. offers better economic opportunities, more freedom, and a better life. That's not a crisis — that's the best advertisement a country could have.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many illegal immigrants are in the US?
Estimates range from 10–11 million unauthorized immigrants, approximately 3.2% of the total U.S. population. This number has been relatively stable since 2008, as new unauthorized arrivals have been roughly offset by departures, deportations, and legalizations.
Are immigrants taking American jobs?
Economic research consistently shows that immigration grows the overall economy and does not reduce employment for native-born workers in aggregate. Immigrants and native-born workers tend to complement rather than compete with each other. Low-skilled immigrants often fill jobs that native-born workers don't want, while high-skilled immigrants create jobs and innovation.
Do immigrants pay taxes?
Yes. Immigrants — including unauthorized immigrants — pay an estimated $492 billion in federal, state, and local taxes annually. Unauthorized immigrants alone pay approximately $11.7 billion in state and local taxes per year, despite being ineligible for most public benefits.
What percentage of immigrants are illegal?
Approximately 22.7% of all foreign-born residents (10.5 million out of 46.2 million) are unauthorized. Over 77% are here through legal channels.
How has the immigrant population changed over time?
The foreign-born population has grown from 9.6 million in 1970 to 46.2 million in 2024. However, as a share of total population, today's 13.9% is similar to levels in the late 1800s and early 1900s (peak: 14.8% in 1890).
Data Sources
- • U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2023)
- • Migration Policy Institute tabulations
- • DHS Office of Immigration Statistics
- • Pew Research Center unauthorized immigrant estimates
- • Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy