About
Where do Arab Americans live?
Most policymakers are unaware of the size, diversity, and interests of the Arab American community. Arab immigrants began coming to the U.S. in sizable numbers during the 1880’s. Today, it is estimated that nearly 3.7 million Americans trace their roots to an Arab country. Arab Americans are found in every state, but more than two thirds of them live in just ten states: California, Michigan, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Metropolitan Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York are home to one-third of the population.
The majority of Arab Americans are native-born, and nearly 82% of Arabs in the U.S. are citizens. While the community traces its roots to every Arab country, the majority of Arab Americans have ancestral ties to Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq.
AAI derives our demographic information from Census Bureau surveys, including the American Community Survey, and projections based on other surveys by reputable scholars and organizations such as Zogby International, among other sources.
Arab Americans
In Your State
While the Census Bureau estimates statewide Arab American populations, our research suggests that their numbers reflect a significant undercount. Select a state to learn more about the disparities in population count between the Census and our research.
Join us to ensure that Arab Americans are represented in all aspects of civic life.