How many Nepalese are in the USA? Nobody knows that. Approximately 50% percent of the Nepali people are settled there. We all have relatives who have been in the USA for many years or are permanent settlers. Some go for a job, some go for better education or to be settled. Here we are going to talk about Nepalese in America and their population in the USA or we can say Nepalese Americans.
Nepali Americans or Nepalese Americans are Americans whose ethnic origins lie fully or partially in any part of Nepal. As a fact, their migration to the United States began in the 20th century, and they have been able to establish themselves as Americans in the new land different from them.
The history of immigration to America from Nepal is short in comparison to other ethnic groups. The words “Nepali” and “Nepalis” are more commonly used by Nepali Americans and are gaining widespread popularity in English usage as opposed to Nepalese, which is an Anglicized version. Major ethnic groups of Nepali Americans consist of Paharis, Madhesis, and Tharus.
Nepali Americans
Total population – 182,385
Table of Contents
Large Nepalese community living in these cities of USA:
- New York City
- Washington DC
- Texas
- California
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Colorado
HISTORY OF NEPALESE IN THE USA
The history of migrating to the United States from Nepal was started in the early 20th century. The first Nepalese immigrants to enter the United States were classified as “other Asian” who were admitted between 1881, 1890, and 1910. However, Nepal did not open its borders until 1950, and most Nepalis who left the country during that time were those who primarily went to India to study.
Nepalese Americans were first classified as a separate ethnic group in 1974 when 56 Nepalese people had immigrated to the United States. According to the 1990 U.S. census, there were 2,616 Americans with Nepalese ancestry. Fewer than 100 Nepalese immigrants become U.S. citizens each year, but the number of Nepalese who become legal residents has grown steadily from 78 in 1987 to 431 in 1996.
The Nepalese community experienced significant growth in population during the 2000s. The poor political and economic conditions caused by the Nepalese Civil War markedly increased emigration from Nepal. Significant communities of Nepalese Americans exist in large metropolitan areas that have been integrating into mainstream politics. The first Nepalese American Harry Bhandari won the State Delegate race in Maryland in 2018 defeating an incumbent and has become the first minority to win any election in the history of the majority-white district.
Communities
- New York, NY – 5,681
- Sonoma, CA – 2,352
- Irving, TX – 1,507
- Houston – 833
- Somerville, MA – 752
- Chicago – 534
- Fort Worth, TX – 502
- Arlington, VA – 473
- Denver, CO – 413
- Aurora, CO – 362
FIRST-PERSON TO VISIT THE US FROM NEPAL
According to the USA embassy in Nepal, Gen. Krishna Rana, Nepal’s Minister in London was first person to visit the US from Nepal. His successor, Gen. Shinga Rana, also visited the United States late in 1945.
Poverty
According to information only 5% of all Nepali Americans live below the poverty line.
Median household income
Nepalese Americans have an average median household income of $110,500 well above the typical American standard.
Per capita income
When Americans per capita income was divided by ethnic groups Nepali Americans were revealed to be the lowest-earning ethnic group per capita in the US with a per capita income of $57,800 well above the American average of $25,825.
Nepalese Student
Nepali students studying in US universities are the fastest growing international student population studying at colleges and universities in the United States. According to the Institute of International Education’s report, 11,607 Nepalese Students entered the US to study.
Cultural celebrations
From the mid-1980s, the Nepalese community in the United States began to develop a series of social, cultural and charitable networks, which include the celebration of certain religious and cultural moments as Udhauli Ubhauli, Losar, Dasain, Tihar, Chhath and the Nepali New Year. They also participated in local cultural events such as Pacific Rogers and Park Fest interfaith community festivals.
