Total population | |
---|---|
3,898,739 (2015 United States surveys) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
California (1,474,707) Greater Los Angeles Area (656,607), San Francisco Bay Area (360,057), San Diego County (186,847) Hawaii (342,095),Illinois (139,090),Texas (137,713),Washington (137,083),New Jersey (126,793),New York (126,129),Nevada (123,891),Florida (122,691),Virginia (90,493),Maryland (56,909),Arizona (53,067)Alaska (25,424) |
|
Languages | |
English, Tagalog (Filipino), Cebuano, Ilocano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Waray, Chavacano, Spanish and other languages of the Philippines. | |
Religion | |
65% Roman Catholicism, 21% Protestantism, 8% Irreligion, 1% Buddhism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Filipino Canadians, Filipinos in Palau |
California (1,474,707)
Greater Los Angeles Area (656,607), San Francisco Bay Area (360,057), San Diego County (186,847)
Filipino Americans (Filipino: Mga Pilipinong Amerikano) are Americans of Filipino descent. The term Filipino American is sometimes shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy". According to Filipino American historian Dawn Mabalon, the earliest appearance of the term Pinoy (alt. Pinay), was in a 1926 issue of the Filipino Student Bulletin. The article that featured the terms, is titled, "Filipino Women in U.S. Excel in Their Courses: Invade Business, Politics." Some Filipinos believe that the term Pinoy was coined by Filipinos who came to the United States to distinguish themselves from Filipinos living in the Philippines.
Filipinos in North America were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century. Mass migration did not begin until the early 20th Century when the Philippines was annexed from Spain to the United States in the Treaty of Paris. Philippine independence was recognized by the United States on July 4, 1946. Immigration was reduced significantly during the 1930s, except for those who served in the United States Navy, and increased following immigration reform in the 1960s. Despite being from Asia, Filipinos are sometimes called "Latinos" due to Hispanic cultural heritage.
The 2010 Census counted 3.4 million Filipino Americans, while the United States Department of State in 2011 estimated the total at 4 million, or 1.1% of the U.S. population. the total at 4 million, or 1.1% of the U.S. population. They are the country's second largest self-reported Asian ancestry group after Chinese Americans according to 2010 American Community Survey. They are also the largest population of Overseas Filipinos. Significant populations of Filipino Americans can be found in California, Hawaii, the New York metropolitan area and Washington, New Jersey, Illinois, and Texas.