DECEMBER 2009 Middle Eastern Americans Middle Eastern American populations are becoming increasingly prominent in the United States. Check out statistics, divided into both general and specific subgroups, concerning these unique populations! General There are approximately 936,656 people of Middle Eastern descent living in the United States, constituting about four percent of the total population. About 82 percent of Middle Eastern population in the U.S. are U.S. Citizens and 63 percent were born in the U.S. California, New York, Florida, Washington DC, and Virginia host the largest populations of Middle Eastern Americans. The five primary Middle Eastern American groups are: Lebanese, Arab/Arabic, Egyptian, Syrian, and Iranian. Middle Eastern Americans generally have strong commitment to family, economic and educational achievement. Almost 85 percent have a high school diploma or higher and more than 40 percent of Middle Eastern Americans have a bachelor's degree or higher. About 60 percent of working Middle Eastern Americans are executives, professionals, office and sales staff. Lebanese Total population in the United States: 440,279 Median household income in 1999: $52,575 Languages: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian Arab/Arabic Total population: 205,822 Media household income in 1999: $37,110 Egyptian Total Population: 142,832          Median household income in 1999: $50,241 There are significant Egyptian American populations located in Northeastern Virginia and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Syrian Total population: 142,897 Median household income in 1999: $51,904 Iranian Total Population: 338,266 Median household income in 1999: $58,912 Large concentrations of Iranian Americans live in California, around Los Angeles, Orange County and San Jose.  Because of the large population in Los Angeles, it is sometimes referred to as "Tehrangeles," alluding to the Iranian capital of Tehran.  Large populations of Iranian Americans are also concentrated in Washington DC, Dallas, Houston and Texas. Armenian Total Population: 385,488 Median household income in 1999: $48,010 Afghani Total Population: 53,709 Median household income in 1999: $36,115 SOURCES: http://www.ameredia.com/resources/demographics/middle_eastern.html http://www.census.gov/ Disclaimer: Although we try to use the most credible sources, we are not responsible for any incorrect findings. Read more: November Statistics - Veterans Day October Statistics - Disabilities in the Workplace October Statistics - Italian Americans "Census changes reflect diversity" By Elizabeth MacGillivray "Cultural insights: Everyone judges from experience" By Craig Storti Want more statistics on a variety of topics? Find more in the Cultural Diversity at Work Archive or the Diversity Statistics page

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