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WASHINGTON
Social & Demographic Characteristics

Other facts sheets for Washington:

The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in Washington in 2007.

Rankings
The following shows Washington's rankings in several categories. (All rankings include the 50 states and the District of Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.)
  Rankings
Size of the foreign-born population, 2007: 10 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2007: 15 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 12 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2007: 26 out of 51

Data Highlights
For data on these topics click on the link:
Who are the foreign born?
The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US citizen parent.

We use the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.

Population

The foreign-born population (or immigrants; we use these terms interchangeably) of Washington changed by 29.4 percent between 2000 and 2007.
Between 2000 and 2007, the foreign-born population in Washington changed from 614,457 to 795,179, representing a change of 29.4 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population changed from 322,144 to 614,457 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 90.7 percent.

At the national level, the foreign-born population increased from 19,767,316 to 31,107,889 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 57.4 percent, and grew from 31,107,889 to 38,059,694 ( 22.3 percent) between 2000 and 2007.

In 2007, the foreign born represented 12.3 percent of Washington's total population.
In 2007, 12.3 percent of Washington's total population were immigrants, compared to 10.4 percent in 2000 and 6.6 percent in 1990.

At the national level, the foreign-born population represented 12.6 percent of the total population in 2007, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in Washington, 31.4 percent entered during the 1990s, and 30.9 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Washington in 2007, 20.3 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 17.5 percent between 1980 and 1989, 31.4 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 30.9 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 22.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 20.6 percent during the 1980s, 29.4 percent during the 1990s, and 27.7 percent in 2000 or later.

Place of Origin

The largest share of the foreign-born population in Washington were from Asia.
Of the total foreign-born population in Washington in 2007, 4.4 percent were from Africa, 39.1 percent from Asia, 17.5 percent from Europe, 31.2 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 6.1 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 1.8 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 3.7 percent were from Africa, 26.8 percent from Asia, 13.1 percent from Europe, 53.6 percent from Latin America, 2.2 percent from Northern America, and 0.6 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Washington were Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam.*
Of the total immigrant population in Washington in 2007, 26.3 percent were born in Mexico, 7.0 percent in the Philippines, and 6.4 percent in Vietnam. In contrast, the top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (14.3 percent), Canada (13.7 percent), and the Philippines (8.5 percent).

At the national level, the top three countries of birth in 2007 were Mexico (30.8 percent), the Philippines (4.5 percent), and China (excluding Taiwan) (4.1 percent). The top three countries of birth in 1990 were Mexico (21.7 percent), the Philippines (4.6 percent), and Canada (3.8 percent).

*Note: These are the largest countries of birth reported by the Census Bureau. Some countries are only listed as part of a larger geographic region. For example, those born in Somalia are included only among those born in Eastern Africa. Therefore, a few states may have larger populations of foreign-born persons born in countries not listed individually in census data. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

Citizenship Status

In Washington, 41.8 percent of the foreign born were citizens in 2007.
The 2007 American Community Survey reported that 332,755, or 41.8 percent, of the foreign-born population in Washington were citizens, compared to 257,648, or 41.9 percent, in 2000. This represents a change of 29.2 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2007.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 42.5 percent were citizens in 2007.

In Washington, 76.5 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 8.8 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Washington in 2007, 76.5 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 61.6 percent who entered during the 1980s, 40.9 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 8.8 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 78.6 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 58.9 percent who entered during the 1980s, 35.3 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 8.9 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In Washington, 51.7 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2007, and 48.3 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Washington in 2007, 51.7 percent were female and 48.3 percent male, compared to 49.9 percent female and 50.1 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 49.7 percent of the foreign born were female and 50.3 percent male.

Immigrants made up 2.3 percent of young children in Washington, 6.5 percent of youths, 15.8 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 11.4 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2007, 2.3 percent of Washington's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 6.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 12.3 percent of those 18 to 24; 16.5 percent of those 25 to 54; and 11.4 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.4 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 5.0 percent of those 5 to 17; 11.7 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.0 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.2 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in Washington, 10.4 percent were minors, 68.0 percent were of working age (18-54), and 21.6 percent were 55 and older.
In 2007, 1.2 percent of the foreign-born population in Washington were under the age of 5; 9.2 percent were 5 to 17; 9.4 percent were 18 to 24; 58.7 percent were 25 to 54; and 21.6 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in Washington, 7.3 percent were under the age of 5; 18.4 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.3 percent were 18 to 24; 41.6 percent were 25 to 54; and 23.5 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.8 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 7.0 percent were 5 to 17; 9.2 percent were 18 to 24; 60.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 22.7 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In Washington, 35.9 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 4.1 percent were black or African American, and 43.4 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Washington in 2007, 43.4 percent reported their race as white alone, 4.1 percent as black or African American alone, 35.9 percent as Asian alone, and 15.3 percent as some other race; 1.3 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in Washington, 85.9 percent reported their race as white alone, 3.3 percent as black or African American alone, 2.5 percent as Asian alone, 4.3 percent as some other race, and 3.9 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 45.7 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 7.8 percent as black or African American alone, 23.4 percent as Asian alone, and 21.8 percent as some other race; 1.3 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in Washington, 30.3 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Washington, 30.3 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 6.5 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 47.5 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in Washington in 2007 was 3.30 persons for those who owned their own homes and 2.89 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Washington who owned their own homes was 3.30 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 2.89 persons. Among the native-born population in Washington, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.57 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.18 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 8.5 percent.
Of all households in Washington headed by a foreign-born person, 8.5 percent were households in which the number of household members exceeded the number of rooms in the house. Among households in Washington headed by native-born persons, 1.2 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 11.4 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2006 and 2007, 37,323 immigrants moved to Washington from abroad, 24,648 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 15,006 immigrants left Washington for another state within the United States.*
Of the 61,971 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2007) who moved in to Washington between 2006 and 2007, 60.2 percent (or 37,323 ) arrived from abroad and 39.8 percent (or 24,648 ) relocated from another state. At the same time, 15,006 immigrants moved out of Washington to another area within the United States, while 631,502 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 100,791 immigrants moved within Washington.

Between 2006 and 2007, 23,110 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Washington from abroad, 178,505 native born relocated from another state, 152,164 native born left Washington for another state, and 820,294 native born moved within Washington. The majority of native-born residents did not move (4,566,157).

Between 2006 and 2007, the total population (ages one and older) of Washington increased from 6,285,914 to 6,382,330 (or by 96,416) due to the net domestic in-migration of natives (26,341), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (9,642), and the arrival from abroad of natives (23,110) and immigrants (37,323).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Washington in 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2007?
Whether any family is considered below the poverty threshold depends on the families' total income before taxes, not including any capital gains or noncash benefits, such as food stamps or housing subsidies.

The Census Bureau's poverty threshold varies depending on the number of adults and children in a family. It is adjusted each month to account for inflation. Because respondents filled out the American Community Survey in different months, the poverty threshold applied to each family depends on the month in which the survey was taken.

To give a general idea of poverty levels, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, the average poverty threshold for a family of four in 2007 was $21,203; for a family of three, $16,530; for a family of two, $13,540; and for unrelated individuals, $10,590. All members of a family are assigned the same poverty status. Poverty thresholds are the same for the whole United States, despite differences in the cost of living across US communities.
Children in Immigrant Families

In 2007, 8.1 percent of immigrant women in Washington had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Washington in 2007, 8.1 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 80.7 percent were married, and 19.3 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in Washington, 5.2 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 67.9 percent were married and 32.1 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 7.2 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 77.8 percent who were married and 22.2 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 23.5 percent of children under age 18 in 2007, 18.8 percent in 2000, and 11.2 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Washington in 2007, 341,166 or 23.5 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 23.0 percent of all children under age 18 in 2007, compared to 19.1 percent in 2000 and 13.4 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Of all children with immigrant parents in Washington, 79.9 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2007, there were 272,581 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Washington. They accounted for 79.9 percent of all children with immigrant parents. The share of US-born children among children of immigrants under age 18 was 76.4 percent in 2000 and 78.8 percent in 1990.

At the national level, 84.7 percent of children with immigrant parents were US born, compared to 79.5 percent in 2000 and 77.0 percent in 1990.

For similar information for children under age 6 and children between ages 6 and 17, see Table 4.

Children of immigrants accounted for 33.9 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2007, 27.5 percent in 2000, and 15.1 percent in 1990 in Washington.
In 2007, there were 491,932 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Washington. Of them, 33.9 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 29.8 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2007, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of Washington1 4,866,692 100.0 5,894,121 100.0 6,468,424 100.0
Native born 4,544,548 93.4 5,279,664 89.6 5,673,245 87.7
Foreign born 322,144 6.6 614,457 10.4 795,179 12.3
Not a citizen 172,888 3.6 356,809 6.1 462,424 7.1
Naturalized citizen 149,256 3.1 257,648 4.4 332,755 5.1
Foreign-Born Population of Washington2 312,701 100.0 614,414 100.0 795,179 100.0
Born in Europe 76,021 24.3 126,270 20.6 139,220 17.5
Born in Asia 126,076 40.3 239,748 39.0 310,793 39.1
Born in Africa 4,366 1.4 18,775 3.1 34,935 4.4
Born in Oceania 4,038 1.3 8,064 1.3 14,039 1.8
Born in Latin America 57,824 18.5 173,870 28.3 247,859 31.2
Born in Northern America 44,376 14.2 47,687 7.8 48,333 6.1
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2007
Change 2000 to 2007
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of Washington1 1,027,429 21.1 1,601,732 32.9 574,303 9.7
Native born 735,116 16.2 1,128,697 24.8 393,581 7.5
Foreign born 292,313 90.7 473,035 146.8 180,722 29.4
Not a citizen 183,921 106.4 289,536 167.5 105,615 29.6
Naturalized citizen 108,392 72.6 183,499 122.9 75,107 29.2
Foreign-Born Population of Washington2 301,713 96.5 482,478 154.3 180,765 29.4
Born in Europe 50,249 66.1 63,199 83.1 12,950 10.3
Born in Asia 113,672 90.2 184,717 146.5 71,045 29.6
Born in Africa 14,409 330.0 30,569 700.2 16,160 86.1
Born in Oceania 4,026 99.7 10,001 247.7 5,975 74.1
Born in Latin America 116,046 200.7 190,035 328.6 73,989 42.6
Born in Northern America 3,311 7.5 3,957 8.9 646 1.4
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of Washington.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2007, the total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the 1990 total excludes those who did not report a country of birth and those born at sea, while the 2000 and 2007 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2007, individuals who did not report a country of birth were allocated a country (and region) based on various characteristics. Because of this allocation in 2000 and 2007, but not in 1990, the increase for a specific region between 1990 and 2000 is overstated by a small, but unknown, amount.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS); US Census Bureau, 1990 Census of Population and Housing and Census 2000, click here.
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.


Table 2. Characteristics of the Foreign-Born Population in Washington, 20071
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 245,313 30.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 249,378 31.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 138,862 17.5
Entered before 1980 161,626 20.3
Born in Europe 139,220 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 37,746 27.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 43,645 31.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 13,306 9.6
Entered before 1980 44,523 32.0
Born in Asia 310,793 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 89,010 28.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 93,309 30.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 70,509 22.7
Entered before 1980 57,965 18.7
Born in Mexico 208,868 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 73,046 35.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 75,408 36.1
Entered 1980 to 1989 37,449 17.9
Entered before 1980 22,965 11.0
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 38,991 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 11,572 29.7
Entered 1990 to 1999 11,815 30.3
Entered 1980 to 1989 8,557 21.9
Entered before 1980 7,047 18.1
Born in Other Areas2 97,307 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 33,939 34.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 25,201 25.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 9,041 9.3
Entered before 1980 29,126 29.9
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 100.0
Not a citizen 462,424 58.2
Naturalized citizen 332,755 41.8
Entered in 2000 or after 245,313 100.0
Not a citizen 223,808 91.2
Naturalized citizen 21,505 8.8
Entered 1990 to 1999 249,378 100.0
Not a citizen 147,322 59.1
Naturalized citizen 102,056 40.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 138,862 100.0
Not a citizen 53,261 38.4
Naturalized citizen 85,601 61.6
Entered before 1980 161,626 100.0
Not a citizen 38,033 23.5
Naturalized citizen 123,593 76.5
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 5,673,245 100.0
Male 2,842,098 50.1
Female 2,831,147 49.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 100.0
Male 384,334 48.3
Female 410,845 51.7
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 4,473,040 100.0
Never married 1,337,973 29.9
Now married (not separated) 2,243,126 50.1
Separated 73,067 1.6
Divorced 582,544 13.0
Widowed 236,330 5.3
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 736,038 100.0
Never married 174,859 23.8
Now married (not separated) 454,664 61.8
Separated 17,860 2.4
Divorced 49,004 6.7
Widowed 39,651 5.4
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 6,468,424 100.0
Under 5 421,960 100.0
Native born 412,115 97.7
Foreign born 9,845 2.3
5 to 17 1,114,849 100.0
Native born 1,041,995 93.5
Foreign born 72,854 6.5
18 to 24 603,679 100.0
Native born 529,310 87.7
Foreign born 74,369 12.3
25 to 54 2,825,007 100.0
Native born 2,358,575 83.5
Foreign born 466,432 16.5
55 and Older 1,502,929 100.0
Native born 1,331,250 88.6
Foreign born 171,679 11.4
MEDIAN AGE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 36.7 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 38.9 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,673,245 100.0
One race 5,449,309 96.1
White 4,873,946 85.9
Black or African American 185,526 3.3
American Indian and Alaska Native 84,373 1.5
Asian 143,802 2.5
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 20,540 0.4
Some other race 141,122 2.5
Two or more races 223,936 3.9
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 100.0
One race 784,755 98.7
White 345,191 43.4
Black or African American 32,350 4.1
American Indian and Alaska Native 4,685 0.6
Asian 285,604 35.9
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 7,024 0.9
Some other race 109,901 13.8
Two or more races 10,424 1.3
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 5,673,245 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 369,256 6.5
White, not Hispanic or Latino 4,687,128 82.6
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 240,750 30.3
White, not Hispanic or Latino 221,646 27.9
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,673,245  
Average household size 2.45 --
Average family size 3.00 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179  
Average household size 3.12 --
Average family size 3.63 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.57 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.18 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.30 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.89 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.70 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.12 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.08 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.38 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,673,245 --
In married couple family household -- 60.8
In other household type -- 37.0
Total Foreign-Born Population 795,179 --
In married couple family household -- 64.4
In other household type -- 34.1
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 1,378,673 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 72,131 5.2
Married (including spouse absent) 48,954 3.6
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 23,177 1.7
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 256,248 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 20,745 8.1
Married (including spouse absent) 16,738 6.5
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 4,007 1.6
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 795,179 100.0
Europe 139,220 17.5
Northern Europe 32,803 4.1
United Kingdom 22,143 2.8
United Kingdom, excluding England 10,022 1.3
England 12,121 1.5
Ireland 2,015 0.3
Other Northern Europe 8,645 1.1
Western Europe 28,381 3.6
France 3,262 0.4
Germany 17,653 2.2
Other Western Europe 7,466 0.9
Southern Europe 5,750 0.7
Italy 3,145 0.4
Portugal 422 0.1
Other Southern Europe 2,183 0.3
Eastern Europe 71,960 9.0
Poland 5,192 0.7
Russia 16,795 2.1
Other Eastern Europe 49,973 6.3
Europe, n.e.c.4 326 0.0
Asia 310,793 39.1
Eastern Asia 117,273 14.7
China 57,484 7.2
China, excluding Taiwan 45,937 5.8
Taiwan 11,547 1.5
Japan 12,716 1.6
Korea 46,111 5.8
Other Eastern Asia 962 0.1
South Central Asia 46,046 5.8
India 28,300 3.6
Iran 6,530 0.8
Other South Central Asia 11,216 1.4
Southeastern Asia 134,528 16.9
Philippines 55,911 7.0
Vietnam 50,594 6.4
Other Southeastern Asia 28,023 3.5
Western Asia 12,760 1.6
Israel 2,426 0.3
Lebanon 822 0.1
Other Western Asia 9,512 1.2
Asia, n.e.c. 4 186 0.0
Africa 34,935 4.4
Eastern Africa 17,410 2.2
Northern Africa 3,461 0.4
Western Africa 6,803 0.9
Middle and Southern Africa 4,649 0.6
Africa, n.e.c. 4 2,612 0.3
Oceania 14,039 1.8
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 5,046 0.6
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 8,993 1.1
Americas 296,192 37.2
Latin America 247,859 31.2
Caribbean 5,537 0.7
Cuba 1,772 0.2
Jamaica 1,205 0.2
Other Caribbean 2,560 0.3
Central America 229,145 28.8
Mexico 208,868 26.3
El Salvador 6,716 0.8
Other Central America 13,561 1.7
South America 13,177 1.7
Brazil 1,829 0.2
Colombia 3,024 0.4
Other South America 8,324 1.0
Northern America 48,333 6.1
Canada 48,214 6.1
Other Northern America 119 0.0
Notes:
1. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
2. Data on the foreign born from Africa and Oceania by period of entry are not available because the number of sample cases was too small for many states.
3. The total for the region of birth of the foreign born is different from the total foreign born. This is because the totals exclude those born at sea.
4. The abbreviation "n.e.c." stands for not elsewhere classified.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 3. Domestic and International Mobility of the Native and Foreign-Born Population in Washington1
  Number Percent
     
Total Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 6,285,914  
Population residing in the area in 2007 6,382,330  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 5,197,659  
Moved within Washington 921,085  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 96,416  
Moved from Washington to another state 167,170  
Moved to Washington 263,586 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 60,433 22.9
Moved to Washington from another state 203,153 77.1
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 5,538,615  
Population residing in the area in 2007 5,588,066  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 4,566,157  
Moved within Washington 820,294  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 49,451  
Moved from Washington to another state 152,164  
Moved to Washington 201,615 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 23,110 11.5
Moved to Washington from another state 178,505 88.5
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2006) 747,299  
Population residing in the area in 2007 794,264  
Between 2006 and 2007    
Stayed in the same house 631,502  
Moved within Washington 100,791  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 46,965  
Moved from Washington to another state 15,006  
Moved to Washington 61,971 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 37,323 60.2
Moved to Washington from another state 24,648 39.8
Notes:
1. The ACS asks if the person lived in the same house or apartment one year ago. If the respondent indicates that he or she did not live in the same house or apartment one year ago, then the city, town or post office, along with the county, state, and zip code of their residence one year ago, is requested. ACS collects data every month and asks about residence one year earlier without referencing a specific date. These estimates do not include people who lived in Washington in 2006 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2006 and 2007. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.
2. The letter N Indicates that a number could not be provided by the Census Bureau because the number of sample cases was too small for this state.
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
For information about ACS methodology, sampling error, and nonsampling error, click here.
For definitions used in ACS, click here.


Table 4. Children in Immigrant Families in Washington (1990, 2000, and 2007)
1990
2000
2007
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 1,212,507 100.0 1,452,674 100.0 1,451,078 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,076,463 88.8 1,180,229 81.2 1,109,912 76.5
One or more foreign-born parents 136,044 11.2 272,445 18.8 341,166 23.5
Child is native 107,229 8.8 208,179 14.3 272,581 18.8
Child is foreign born 28,815 2.4 64,266 4.4 68,585 4.7
Children under age 6 with 430,722 100.0 460,921 100.0 489,376 100.0
Only native parent(s) 381,720 88.6 365,381 79.3 362,697 74.1
One or more foreign-born parents 49,002 11.4 95,540 20.7 126,679 25.9
Child is native 44,010 10.2 85,431 18.5 115,268 23.6
Child is foreign born 4,992 1.2 10,109 2.2 11,411 2.3
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 781,785 100.0 991,753 100.0 961,702 100.0
Only native parent(s) 694,743 88.9 814,848 82.2 747,215 77.7
One or more foreign-born parents 87,042 11.1 176,905 17.8 214,487 22.3
Child is native 63,219 8.1 122,748 12.4 157,313 16.4
Child is foreign born 23,823 3.0 54,157 5.5 57,174 5.9
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 418,011 100.0 471,491 100.0 491,932 100.0
Only native parents 355,044 84.9 341,612 72.5 325,087 66.1
One or more foreign-born parents 62,967 15.1 129,879 27.5 166,845 33.9
Notes:
1. This table refers only to children under 18 who resided with at least one parent. These figures do not include children under 18 who reside in a home with no parents.
2. Low-income families are defined as families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold.
Sources: 1990 and 2000 Decennial Census data are from Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, Catherine A. Fitch, Ronald Goeken, Patricia Kelly Hall, Miriam King, and Chad Ronnander, "Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 4.0" (Machine-readable database, Minnesota Population Center [producer and distributor], 2008); US Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey (ACS).