Indian Americans

Indian Americans
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Group	Indian Americans
Population	~4,8 million (2021 ACS estimate)
Popplace	New Jersey, California, Texas, New York, Illinois
Langs	English, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali
Rels	Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism
Related	Overseas Indians, South Asian Americans

Indian Americans. They are citizens or residents of the United States who trace their ancestry to the Republic of India. As one of the fastest-growing and most socioeconomically successful demographic groups in the country, they have made significant contributions across fields such as technology, medicine, academia, business, and culture. The community is diverse, encompassing a wide array of linguistic, religious, and regional backgrounds from the Indian subcontinent.

History

The earliest documented arrivals from the Indian subcontinent date to the 18th century, with individuals like Sake Dean Mahomed who arrived in the late 1700s. Significant migration began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily Punjabi farmers and laborers who settled on the West Coast, often working in agriculture and railroad construction. The restrictive Immigration Act of 1917 and the subsequent Asian Exclusion Act severely limited further immigration for decades. A major shift occurred with the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which abolished national-origin quotas and led to a wave of highly educated professionals, such as engineers, physicians, and scientists, migrating to the United States. Subsequent waves included family reunification migrants and those seeking opportunities in the information technology boom, particularly around the dot-com era. Key historical organizations include the Ghadar Party, founded in the early 20th century to oppose British rule in India.

Demographics

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the American Community Survey, the population exceeds 4.8 million, constituting the second-largest Asian American group. The largest concentrations are in metropolitan areas like the New York metropolitan area, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Greater Los Angeles area, the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, and the Chicago metropolitan area. States with the highest populations include New Jersey, California, Texas, New York, and Illinois. The community is linguistically diverse, with major languages spoken at home including Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, and Punjabi. Religious affiliation is varied, with a majority adhering to Hinduism, followed by significant numbers of Christians, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.

Culture

Cultural expression is vibrant and multifaceted, often blending traditions from India with American culture. Major festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Vaisakhi, and Christmas are widely celebrated, sometimes with official recognition from cities and states. The community has a strong presence in performing arts, with widespread appreciation for classical forms like Bharatanatyam and Hindustani classical music, as well as popular Bollywood cinema and music. Cuisine has become mainstream, with dishes from various regions widely available. Media outlets such as TV Asia, Sony Entertainment Television, and publications like India Abroad serve the diaspora. Cultural institutions include the Asia Society and numerous local temples, gurdwaras, and community centers that act as hubs for social and religious life.

Socioeconomic status

As a group, they often exhibit high levels of educational attainment and economic success. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates they have the highest median household income of any major ethnic group in the United States and one of the highest rates of holding a bachelor's degree or higher. They are disproportionately represented in STEM fields, with significant employment in Silicon Valley companies like Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and IBM. The community also has a strong entrepreneurial presence, founding numerous startups and leading major corporations. Notable business leaders include Sundar Pichai of Alphabet Inc., Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. Despite overall success, there is socioeconomic diversity, and some face issues related to visa restrictions, career advancement barriers, and model minority stereotypes.

Notable people

Indian Americans have achieved prominence in virtually every field. In politics and government, figures include Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States; former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley; and former Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal. In science and technology, pioneers include Nobel laureate Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, astronaut Kalpana Chawla, and fiber optics pioneer Narinder Singh Kapany. The arts are represented by authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan; and musicians such as Norah Jones and Zubin Mehta. In sports, athletes include professional golfer Vijay Singh and NBA coach Kenny Natt. Academia features numerous university presidents and professors, including Amartya Sen and Raghuram Rajan.

Category:American people of Indian descent Category:Ethnic groups in the United States