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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 2011.

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, 2011: 9 out of 51
Percent foreign born in the total population, 2011: 15 out of 51
Numeric change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 8 out of 51
Percent change in the foreign-born population, 2000 to 2011: 24 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 48.0 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the foreign-born population in Washington changed from 614,457 to 909,312, representing a change of 48.0 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 40,377,860 ( 29.8 percent) between 2000 and 2011.

In 2011, the foreign born represented 13.3 percent of Washington's total population.
In 2011, 13.3 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 13.0 percent of the total population in 2011, compared to 11.1 percent in 2000 and 7.9 percent in 1990.

Of the total immigrant population in Washington, 28.4 percent entered during the 1990s, and 38.4 percent entered in 2000 or later.
Of the foreign-born population resident in Washington in 2011, 17.2 percent entered the country prior to 1980, 16.0 percent between 1980 and 1989, 28.4 percent between 1990 and 1999, and 38.4 percent in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 19.3 percent of the foreign-born population entered the country before 1980, 18.3 percent during the 1980s, 26.7 percent during the 1990s, and 35.7 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 2011, 5.4 percent were from Africa, 39.8 percent from Asia, 17.2 percent from Europe, 30.7 percent from Latin America (South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean), 5.4 percent from Northern America (Canada, Bermuda, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon), and 1.5 percent from Oceania.

At the national level, 4.1 percent were from Africa, 28.6 percent from Asia, 12.1 percent from Europe, 52.6 percent from Latin America, 2.0 percent from Northern America, and 0.5 percent from Oceania.

The top three countries of birth of the foreign born in Washington were mexico, philippines, and vietnam.*
Of the total immigrant population in Washington in 2011, 25.8 percent were born in mexico, 7.0 percent in 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 2011 were mexico (28.9 percent), india (4.6 percent), and china (4.6 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. "China" refers to China and Hong Kong, but not Taiwan. The 1990 data on the countries of birth reflect geographic boundaries as of 1990.

US Citizenship Status

In Washington, 45.9 percent of the foreign born were US citizens in 2011.
The 2011 American Community Survey reported that 417,019, or 45.9 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 61.9 percent in the size of the foreign-born citizen population between 2000 and 2011.

Nationally, 40.3 percent of the foreign-born population were citizens in 2000, and 44.9 percent were citizens in 2011.

In Washington, 78.5 percent of the immigrants who entered before 1980 were citizens, compared to 19.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.
Among the foreign-born population in Washington in 2011, 78.5 percent of those who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 67.3 percent who entered during the 1980s, 50.0 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 19.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Nationally, 79.8 percent of the foreign-born population who entered the United States before 1980 were citizens, as were 64.2 percent who entered during the 1980s, 45.1 percent who entered during the 1990s, and 16.1 percent of those who entered in 2000 or later.

Gender and Age

In Washington, 52.6 percent of the immigrant population were female in 2011, and 47.4 percent male.
Of the total foreign-born population in Washington in 2011, 52.6 percent were female and 47.4 percent male, compared to 49.7 percent female and 50.3 percent male among the native born.

At the national level, 51.1 percent of the foreign born were female and 48.9 percent male.

Immigrants made up 1.3 percent of young children in Washington, 5.9 percent of youths, 17.8 percent of working-age (18-54) adults, and 12.2 percent of adults age 55 and older.
In 2011, 1.3 percent of Washington's population younger than age 5 were born abroad as were 5.9 percent of those 5 to 17; 12.6 percent of those 18 to 24; 19.0 percent of those 25 to 54; and 12.2 percent of seniors 55 and older.

Nationally, 1.2 percent of those under age 5 were foreign born, as well as 4.5 percent of those 5 to 17; 10.8 percent of those 18 to 24; 18.9 percent of those 25 to 54; and 13.0 percent of those 55 and older.

Of the immigrant population in Washington, 8.0 percent were minors, 68.7 percent were of working age (18-54), and 23.3 percent were 55 and older.
In 2011, 0.6 percent of the foreign-born population in Washington were under the age of 5; 7.4 percent were 5 to 17; 9.2 percent were 18 to 24; 59.4 percent were 25 to 54; and 23.3 percent were 55 or older. Among the native-born population in Washington, 7.3 percent were under the age of 5; 18.1 percent were between 5 and 17; 9.8 percent were 18 to 24; 39.0 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.7 percent were 55 or older.

At the national level, 0.6 percent of the immigrant population were under 5; 5.9 percent were 5 to 17; 8.3 percent were 18 to 24; 59.5 percent were 25 to 54; and 25.6 percent were 55 or older.

Race and Hispanic Origin

In Washington, 36.5 percent of the foreign-born population were Asian, 5.6 percent were black or African American, and 40.4 percent were white.
Of the foreign born in Washington in 2011, 40.4 percent reported their race as white alone, 5.6 percent as black or African American alone, 36.5 percent as Asian alone, and 14.1 percent as some other race; 2.3 percent reported having two or more races. Among the native-born population in Washington, 84.3 percent reported their race as white alone, 3.2 percent as black or African American alone, 2.9 percent as Asian alone, 2.5 percent as some other race, and 5.1 percent as having two or more races.

At the national level, 48.3 percent of the foreign born reported their race as white alone, 8.4 percent as black or African American alone, 24.8 percent as Asian alone, and 15.5 percent as some other race; 2.5 percent reported having two or more races.

Of the foreign born in Washington, 29.8 percent reported Hispanic or Latino origins.
In Washington, 29.8 percent of immigrants reported Hispanic or Latino origins, compared to 8.8 percent of the native born.

At the national level, 46.6 percent of the foreign born reported a Hispanic or Latino origin.

Household

The average household size of the immigrant population in Washington in 2011 was 3.29 persons for those who owned their own homes and 3.06 persons for those who rented.
The average household size of the foreign-born population in Washington who owned their own homes was 3.29 persons, while the average household size of those renting their homes was 3.06 persons. Among the native-born population in Washington, the average household size of those who owned their own homes was 2.52 persons, while the average household size of those who rented their homes was 2.27 persons.

The share of households headed by a foreign-born person with more than one occupant per room was 10.4 percent.
Of all households in Washington headed by a foreign-born person, 10.4 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, 1.7 percent had more people than rooms in the house.

At the national level, 12.1 percent of households headed by a foreign-born person had more than one occupant per room.

Domestic and International Migration

Between 2010 and 2011, 30,647 immigrants moved to Washington from abroad, 22,684 immigrants relocated from other states and the District of Columbia (DC), and 21,369 immigrants left Washington for another state within the United States.*
Of the 53,331 immigrant respondents (ages one and older in 2011) who moved to Washington between 2010 and 2011, 57.5 percent (or 30,647) arrived from abroad and 42.5 percent (or 22,684) relocated from another state. At the same time, 21,369 immigrants moved out of Washington to another area within the United States, while 737,583 immigrants continued residing in the same house and 118,040 immigrants moved within Washington.

Between 2010 and 2011, 24,326 native-born residents (ages one and older) moved to Washington from abroad, 185,823 native born relocated from another state, 169,275 native born left Washington for another state, and 801,885 native born moved within Washington. The majority of native-born residents did not move (4,827,486).

Between 2010 and 2011, the total population (ages one and older) of Washington increased from 6,675,638 to 6,748,474 (or by 72,836) due to the net domestic in-migration of natives (16,548), the net domestic in-migration of immigrants (1,315), and the arrival from abroad of natives (24,326) and immigrants (30,647).

*Note: These estimates do not include people who lived in Washington in 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. The estimates refer to geographic mobility of persons ages one and older.

For details, see Table 3

What Was the Poverty Threshold in 2011?
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 US Census Bureau, the average poverty threshold for a family of four 2011 was $23,021; for a family of three, $17,916; for a family of two, $14,657; and for an unrelated individual, $11,484. 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 2011, 7.7 percent of immigrant women in Washington had given birth in the previous year.
Of the foreign-born women in Washington in 2011, 7.7 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those who had given birth, 78.9 percent were married, and 21.1 percent were not married (including those who were divorced or widowed). Among native-born women in Washington, 5.1 percent had given birth in the previous year. Of those, 70.1 percent were married and 29.9 percent unmarried.

At the national level, 6.8 percent of immigrant women had given birth in the previous year, including 76.4 percent who were married and 23.6 percent who were unmarried.

Children residing with at least one immigrant parent accounted for 26.8 percent of children under age 18 in 2011, 18.8 percent in 2000, and 11.2 percent in 1990.
Of all children under age 18 in Washington in 2011, 403,231 or 26.8 percent resided in immigrant families (i.e., with at least one foreign-born parent).

Nationally, children with immigrant parents accounted for 24.3 percent of all children under age 18 in 2011, 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, 85.2 percent were US citizens by birth.
In 2011, there were 343,651 US-born children with at least one immigrant parent in Washington. They accounted for 85.2 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, 87.1 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 35.3 percent of all children in low-income families (i.e., below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold) in 2011, 27.5 percent in 2000, and 15.1 percent in 1990 in Washington.
In 2011, there were 588,145 children under age 18 who resided in families with income below 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold in Washington. Of them, 35.3 percent were children with immigrant parent(s).

In comparison, children with immigrant parent(s) accounted for 30.5 percent of children in low-income families in the nation in 2011, 25.5 percent in 2000, and 16.7 percent in 1990.



Table 1. Foreign-Born Population and World Region of Birth (1990, 2000, and 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Total Population of Washington1 4,866,692 100.0 5,894,121 100.0 6,830,038 100.0
Native born 4,544,548 93.4 5,279,664 89.6 5,920,726 86.7
Foreign born 322,144 6.6 614,457 10.4 909,312 13.3
Not a citizen 172,888 3.6 356,809 6.1 492,293 7.2
Naturalized citizen 149,256 3.1 257,648 4.4 417,019 6.1
Foreign-Born Population of Washington2 312,701 100.0 614,414 100.0 909,269 100.0
Born in Europe 76,021 24.3 126,270 20.6 156,567 17.2
Born in Asia 126,076 40.3 239,748 39.0 362,055 39.8
Born in Africa 4,366 1.4 18,775 3.1 49,462 5.4
Born in Oceania 4,038 1.3 8,064 1.3 13,364 1.5
Born in Latin America 57,824 18.5 173,870 28.3 279,172 30.7
Born in Northern America 44,376 14.2 47,687 7.8 48,649 5.4
 
 
Change 1990 to 2000
Change 1990 to 2011
Change 2000 to 2011
 
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Numeric
Percent
Total Population of Washington1 1,027,429 21.1 1,963,346 40.3 935,917 15.9
Native born 735,116 16.2 1,376,178 30.3 641,062 12.1
Foreign born 292,313 90.7 587,168 182.3 294,855 48.0
Not a citizen 183,921 106.4 319,405 184.7 135,484 38.0
Naturalized citizen 108,392 72.6 267,763 179.4 159,371 61.9
Foreign-Born Population of Washington2 301,713 96.5 596,568 190.8 294,855 48.0
Born in Europe 50,249 66.1 80,546 106.0 30,297 24.0
Born in Asia 113,672 90.2 235,979 187.2 122,307 51.0
Born in Africa 14,409 330.0 45,096 1032.9 30,687 163.4
Born in Oceania 4,026 99.7 9,326 231.0 5,300 65.7
Born in Latin America 116,046 200.7 221,348 382.8 105,302 60.6
Born in Northern America 3,311 7.5 4,273 9.6 962 2.0
Notes:
1. This table describes the entire population of Washington.
2. For 1990, 2000, and 2011, 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 2011 totals exclude those born at sea. In 2000 and 2011, 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 2011, 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, 2011 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, 20111
  Number Percent
PERIOD OF ENTRY BY WORLD REGION OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 348,747 38.4
Entered 1990 to 1999 258,366 28.4
Entered 1980 to 1989 145,600 16.0
Entered before 1980 156,599 17.2
Born in Europe 156,567 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 50,046 32.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 51,580 32.9
Entered 1980 to 1989 13,079 8.4
Entered before 1980 41,862 26.7
Born in Asia 362,055 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 133,723 36.9
Entered 1990 to 1999 92,551 25.6
Entered 1980 to 1989 73,590 20.3
Entered before 1980 62,191 17.2
Born in Mexico 234,496 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 95,296 40.6
Entered 1990 to 1999 79,241 33.8
Entered 1980 to 1989 40,033 17.1
Entered before 1980 19,926 8.5
Born in Other Parts of Latin America 44,676 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 20,655 46.2
Entered 1990 to 1999 9,368 21.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 8,533 19.1
Entered before 1980 6,120 13.7
Born in Other Areas2 111,518 100.0
Entered in 2000 or after 49,027 44.0
Entered 1990 to 1999 25,626 23.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 10,365 9.3
Entered before 1980 26,500 23.8
CITIZENSHIP STATUS BY PERIOD OF ENTRY    
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 100.0
Not a citizen 492,293 54.1
Naturalized citizen 417,019 45.9
Entered in 2000 or after 348,747 100.0
Not a citizen 282,069 80.9
Naturalized citizen 66,678 19.1
Entered 1990 to 1999 258,366 100.0
Not a citizen 129,054 50.0
Naturalized citizen 129,312 50.0
Entered 1980 to 1989 145,600 100.0
Not a citizen 47,568 32.7
Naturalized citizen 98,032 67.3
Entered before 1980 156,599 100.0
Not a citizen 33,602 21.5
Naturalized citizen 122,997 78.5
GENDER    
Total Native-Born Population 5,920,726 100.0
Male 2,976,852 50.3
Female 2,943,874 49.7
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 100.0
Male 431,209 47.4
Female 478,103 52.6
MARITAL STATUS    
Total Native-Born Population Age 15 or Older 4,657,449 100.0
Never married 1,452,457 31.2
Now married (not separated) 2,272,114 48.8
Separated 74,794 1.6
Divorced 621,759 13.3
Widowed 236,325 5.1
Total Foreign-Born Population Age 15 or Older 859,294 100.0
Never married 215,052 25.0
Now married (not separated) 519,593 60.5
Separated 20,520 2.4
Divorced 64,398 7.5
Widowed 39,731 4.6
NATIVITY BY AGE    
Total Population 6,830,038 100.0
Under 5 439,347 100.0
Native born 433,470 98.7
Foreign born 5,877 1.3
5 to 17 1,140,895 100.0
Native born 1,073,877 94.1
Foreign born 67,018 5.9
18 to 24 666,370 100.0
Native born 582,318 87.4
Foreign born 84,052 12.6
25 to 54 2,847,649 100.0
Native born 2,307,248 81.0
Foreign born 540,401 19.0
55 and Older 1,735,777 100.0
Native born 1,523,813 87.8
Foreign born 211,964 12.2
MEDIAN AGE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Median age 36.3 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Median age 40.3 --
RACE    
Total Native-Born Population 5,920,726 100.0
One race 5,621,046 94.9
White 4,989,851 84.3
Black or African American 188,831 3.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 90,173 1.5
Asian 170,049 2.9
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 32,062 0.5
Some other race 150,080 2.5
Two or more races 299,680 5.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 100.0
One race 888,173 97.7
White 367,310 40.4
Black or African American 50,834 5.6
American Indian and Alaska Native 1,530 0.0
Asian 331,663 36.5
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 8,238 0.9
Some other race 128,598 14.1
Two or more races 21,139 2.3
HISPANIC ORIGIN    
Total Native-Born Population 5,920,726 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 518,150 8.8
White, not Hispanic or Latino 4,681,254 79.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 100.0
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 270,910 29.8
White, not Hispanic or Latino 232,395 25.6
HOUSEHOLD AND FAMILY SIZE5    
Total Native-Born Population 5,920,726  
Average household size 2.43 --
Average family size 2.98 --
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312  
Average household size 3.18 --
Average family size 3.68 --
HOUSEHOLD SIZE BY HOUSING TENURE5    
Total Native-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 2.52 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.27 --
Total Foreign-Born Population    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.29 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.06 --
Not a Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.49 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 3.28 --
Naturalized Citizen    
Average household size of owner-occupied unit 3.19 --
Average household size of renter-occupied unit 2.73 --
HOUSEHOLD TYPE5    
Total Native-Born Population 5,920,726 --
In married couple family household -- 59.6
In other household type -- 38.1
Total Foreign-Born Population 909,312 --
In married couple family household -- 66.0
In other household type -- 32.7
FERTILITY    
Total Native-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 1,361,526 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 69,100 5.1
Married (including spouse absent) 48,431 3.6
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 20,669 1.5
Total Foreign-Born Female Population, Ages 15 to 50 300,867 100.0
Women who had a birth in the last 12 months 23,052 7.7
Married (including spouse absent) 18,183 6.0
Unmarried (never married, divorced, and widowed) 4,869 1.6
REGION/COUNTRY OF BIRTH    
Total Foreign-Born Population3 909,269 100.0
Europe 156,567 17.2
Northern Europe 30,655 3.4
United Kingdom 22,116 2.4
United Kingdom, excluding England 9,851 1.1
England 12,265 1.3
Ireland 2,066 0.2
Other Northern Europe 6,473 0.7
Western Europe 31,672 3.5
France 4,378 0.5
Germany 18,398 2.0
Other Western Europe 8,896 1.0
Southern Europe 5,245 0.6
Italy 1,869 0.2
Portugal 1,300 0.1
Other Southern Europe 2,076 0.2
Eastern Europe 88,793 9.8
Poland 3,395 0.4
Russia 20,821 2.3
Other Eastern Europe 64,577 7.1
Europe, n.e.c.4 202 0.0
Asia 362,055 39.8
Eastern Asia 124,284 13.7
China 63,893 7.0
China, excluding Taiwan 53,126 5.8
Taiwan 10,767 1.2
Japan 16,474 1.8
Korea 43,543 4.8
Other Eastern Asia 374 0.0
South Central Asia 59,654 6.6
India 44,210 4.9
Iran 5,955 0.7
Other South Central Asia 9,489 1.0
Southeastern Asia 162,697 17.9
Philippines 63,326 7.0
Vietnam 58,381 6.4
Other Southeastern Asia 40,990 4.5
Western Asia 15,226 1.7
Israel 2,206 0.2
Lebanon 1,201 0.1
Other Western Asia 11,819 1.3
Asia, n.e.c. 4 194 0.0
Africa 49,462 5.4
Eastern Africa 31,023 3.4
Northern Africa 5,079 0.6
Western Africa 8,148 0.9
Middle and Southern Africa 3,404 0.4
Africa, n.e.c. 4 1,808 0.2
Oceania 13,364 1.5
Australia and New Zealand Subregion 4,042 0.4
Oceania, n.e.c. 4 9,322 1.0
Americas 327,821 36.1
Latin America 279,172 30.7
Caribbean 7,730 0.9
Cuba 1,658 0.2
Jamaica 1,346 0.1
Other Caribbean 4,726 0.5
Central America 257,921 28.4
Mexico 234,496 25.8
El Salvador 9,809 1.1
Other Central America 13,616 1.5
South America 13,521 1.5
Brazil 2,631 0.3
Colombia 3,488 0.4
Other South America 7,402 0.8
Northern America 48,649 5.4
Canada 48,372 5.3
Other Northern America 277 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.
5. For Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia the data are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming the data are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011 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 (2010) 6,675,638  
Population residing in the area in 2011 6,748,474  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 5,565,069  
Moved within Washington 919,925  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 72,836  
Moved from Washington to another state 190,644  
Moved to Washington 263,480 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 54,973 20.9
Moved to Washington from another state 208,507 79.1
Native-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 5,798,646  
Population residing in the area in 2011 5,839,520  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 4,827,486  
Moved within Washington 801,885  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 40,874  
Moved from Washington to another state 169,275  
Moved to Washington 210,149 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 24,326 11.6
Moved to Washington from another state 185,823 88.4
Foreign-Born Population (one year and older)    
Population residing in the area one year ago (2010) 876,992  
Population residing in the area in 2011 908,954  
Between 2010 and 2011    
Stayed in the same house 737,583  
Moved within Washington 118,040  
Population change due to in- and out-migration: 31,962  
Moved from Washington to another state 21,369  
Moved to Washington 53,331 100.0
Moved to Washington from abroad 30,647 57.5
Moved to Washington from another state 22,684 42.5
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 2010 and are currently living in Puerto Rico, other US island areas, and foreign countries, or who died between 2010 and 2011. 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, American Community Survey 2011.
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 2011)
1990
2000
2011
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Number
Percent
Children under age 18 with 1,212,507 100.0 1,452,674 100.0 1,506,122 100.0
Only native parent(s) 1,076,463 88.8 1,180,229 81.2 1,102,891 73.2
One or more foreign-born parents 136,044 11.2 272,445 18.8 403,231 26.8
Child is native 107,229 8.8 208,179 14.3 343,651 22.8
Child is foreign born 28,815 2.4 64,266 4.4 59,580 4.0
Children under age 6 with 430,722 100.0 460,921 100.0 503,841 100.0
Only native parent(s) 381,720 88.6 365,381 79.3 359,180 71.3
One or more foreign-born parents 49,002 11.4 95,540 20.7 144,661 28.7
Child is native 44,010 10.2 85,431 18.5 138,449 27.5
Child is foreign born 4,992 1.2 10,109 2.2 6,212 1.2
Children between ages 6 and 17 with 781,785 100.0 991,753 100.0 1,002,281 100.0
Only native parent(s) 694,743 88.9 814,848 82.2 743,711 74.2
One or more foreign-born parents 87,042 11.1 176,905 17.8 258,570 25.8
Child is native 63,219 8.1 122,748 12.4 205,202 20.5
Child is foreign born 23,823 3.0 54,157 5.5 53,368 5.3
Children under age 18 in low-income families with 418,011 100.0 471,491 100.0 588,145 100.0
Only native parents 355,044 84.9 341,612 72.5 380,299 64.7
One or more foreign-born parents 62,967 15.1 129,879 27.5 207,846 35.3
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], 2011); US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS).