The US Asian population is very diverse, comprised of more than 40 races and ethnicities. According to the 2020 census, the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community is the fastest growing racial group in the United States, growing by 35% over the past 10 years. Census data showed almost 20 million people identified as Asian and another four million identified as Asian combined with another racial group, making up 7.2% of the US population. Another 0.5% of the Asian population identified as Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander or in combination with another racial group.
As Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO) reflected on 2020 and the realities of the API community, the following areas were identified as the most important to address in 2021:
- Creating welcoming communities of belonging for API immigrants and refugees.
- Spotlighting and working to reduce anti-Asian hate, bias and violent incidents stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Promoting API entrepreneurship and small business success, as Asian businesses became common targets for anti-Asian sentiments.