New Asian American Federation report finds Asian communities thriving far beyond traditional neighborhoods
New York, NY: The Asian American Federation (AAF) released its 2025 report, Expanding Communities, Expanding Needs, highlighting major demographic shifts ahead of this year’s mayoral and city council elections. It reveals that New York’s Asian communities are gaining ground in most of New York City’s 51 City Council districts. This expansive growth affirms the integral role of Asian New Yorkers in the city's evolving demographic and cultural landscape.
According to the report, 28 council districts now have Asian populations exceeding 10% of their total residents, reflecting the growing presence of Asian communities beyond their traditional enclaves. The 2020 Census confirmed that 1.5 million New Yorkers now identify as Asian—continuing to make Asians the fastest-growing racial group in the city.
"This data confirms what many of us already know—Asian Americans are already an essential part of New York, and our communities are vital to the future of our city,” said Catherine Chen, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation. “Our growing communities contribute to every aspect of civic, economic, and cultural life in all five boroughs—yet our urgent needs are still ignored. The recognition, resources, and meaningful investment we deserve continue to lag far behind the impact we make.”
Key Highlights:
Population Growth: The Asian population grew by double digits in 16 council districts since 2018 with districts in Staten Island (50 and 51) experiencing remarkable growth rates of nearly 60%.
Expanding Cultural Hubs: Traditional enclaves like Flushing, Sunset Park, and Bayside remain central to Asian life, while new communities are flourishing in historically less-populated areas.
Diverse Ethnic Representation: Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Bangladeshi, Korean, Pakistani, Japanese, and other Asian ethnic groups are represented citywide, highlighting the breadth of New York’s multicultural identity.
Youthful Energy & Intergenerational Strength: Many council districts report robust populations of school-aged children and active multigenerational households, ensuring a dynamic future for the community.
Queens Leads NYC in Asian Population: Queens remains the borough with the highest concentration of Asian residents. Four of the five City Council districts with the largest Asian populations—Districts 20, 23, 25, and 19—are located there. District 20 alone is home to over 100,000 Asian residents, making it the most populous Asian district in New York City.
The Three Largest Asian Ethnic Groups in New York City Are:
Chinese (excluding Taiwanese) with 631,328 residents, Indian with 257,314 residents, and Filipino with 103,431 residents. These communities make up the largest segments of the city’s Asian population—over 1.5 million people—and are primarily concentrated in Queens, especially in Districts 20, 23, and 25.
Language Access Challenges:
Asian residents face significant barriers to accessing services. In District 20, 70% of the Asian population report limited English proficiency (LEP). Districts 19 and 23 also have high LEP rates, at 53.7% and 38.9%, respectively.
Economically Vulnerable Populations:
In District 20, more than 21% of Asian residents live below the poverty line. Nearly 18% of Asian households in that district rely on SNAP benefits. Housing affordability remains a major concern, with over half of Asian households in Districts 19, 20, and 23 considered rent-burdened.
As New York prepares for its 2025 mayoral and city council elections, Asian American Federation’s findings underscore the importance of inclusive engagement and policy-making that recognizes the growing influence and needs of Asian communities.
To download the full report, click here: AAF City Council Brief 2025.pdf
