AAPI Statistical Profile
2024 Edition
Today’s Agenda
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
The Agency is tasked with…
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
About The Commission
An Overview of the Profile
The profile explores the socio-economic development of the Asian American and Pacific Islander population of South Carolina by exploring:
Additionally, the profile provides data on the six most populous subgroups within the AAPI, comprising of nearly 80% of the total. These are: Indians, Filipinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, and the Japanese.
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
About The Profile
Demographics
South Carolina’s AAPI Population
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
AAPI population growth outpaced all other racial/ethnic minorities in South Carolina from 2012 to 2022. Despite this rapid growth, the AAPI population is quickly aging. This is partly explained by low birth rates, but also a higher likelihood for AAPI to marry non-AAPI.
Demographics
South Carolina’s AAPI Population
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
The 2020 Census provides detailed racial data for the state. This data indicates that around 93,000 individuals identified solely as a member of one of the AAPI subgroups. Asian Indians and Filipinos accounted for 44% of those identifying as only one AAPI subgroup.
There were also around 132,400 that identified either solely, or in combination with another racial/ethnic group, as a member of at least one AAPI subgroup. Again, Indians and Filipinos accounted for a significant share of these individuals.
Demographics
South Carolina’s AAPI Population
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Growth of the six most populous subgroups saw Indians, Filipinos, Chinese (non-Taiwanese), Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese populations increase significantly from 2000 to 2020.
Average annual growth from 2000 to 2020 for:
Demographics
South Carolina’s AAPI Population
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Geographically, AAPI subgroups are unevenly distributed across the state. Around 1/3 of the state’s Filipino population lives in the Charleston area, for example. York County has served as a growth poll for Indians. Around 70% of AAPI reside in Berkeley, Charleston, Greenville, Horry, Lexington, Richland, Spartanburg, or York Counties.
Employment and Labor Participation
South Carolina’s AAPI Workers
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
AAPI labor force participation stood at 78.8% in 2022, the highest for any racial/ethnic minority in the state.
The AAPI labor force is also SC’s quickest and steadiest growing ethnic subset.
Roughly 63% of all AAPI (including children and retirees) were employed in 2022.
AAPI have one of the lowest unemployment rates of any ethnic group. And SC’s AAPI outperform neighboring GA and NC.
Employment and Labor Participation
South Carolina’s AAPI Workers
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Employed AAPI in SC show interesting occupational breakdowns, with high concentrations in jobs requiring higher levels of academic achievement on the one hand, and service-oriented jobs and military careers on the other.
AAPI had a significantly smaller share of its employed members engaged in construction related jobs than the rest of the population (3.4% vs. 8.7%), but a higher share in managerial and professional occupations (26.1% vs. 18.4%).
Employment and Labor Participation
South Carolina’s AAPI Workers
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Compared with other races, however, only 38.7% of AAPI in that category are actually managers (38.7%), and of that, a greater share (>25%) are self-employed. Meaning AAPI that are managers are more likely managers of their own businesses and less likely so in other types of enterprises.
Employment and Labor Participation
South Carolina’s AAPI Workers
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
We see radically different compositions across occupational categories for the different AAPI subgroups we analyzed.
These differences tend to reflect differences in educational attainment and English-speaking level, as occupational clusters often reflect prestige and cultural capital accumulation.
Educational Attainment
Education for South Carolina’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
We see radically different compositions across occupational categories for the different AAPI subgroups we analyzed.
These differences tend to reflect differences in educational attainment and English-speaking level, as occupational clusters often reflect prestige and cultural capital accumulation.
Educational Attainment
Education for South Carolina’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
We see radically different compositions across occupational categories for the different AAPI subgroups we analyzed.
These differences tend to reflect differences in educational attainment and English-speaking level, as occupational clusters often reflect prestige and cultural capital accumulation.
Educational Attainment
Education for South Carolina’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Poverty
Poverty Rates for South Carolina’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Poverty rates for AAPI communities in SC are fairly low compared to other racial groups.
However, not all AAPI subgroups are equal. Chinese and Japanese S. Carolinians were more likely than others to be at 1.5x the official poverty index. Indians had the highest share of its population with income 5.0x the official index.
Homeownership
Housing South Carolina’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Housing is a key problem in the state at the moment. The state’s AAPI population has made tremendous progress closing the homeownership gap with the White population the past decade. In general, AAPI has a higher homeownership rate than other racial/ethnic minorities.
One factor perpetuating this gap concerns the share of AAPI population below the age of 40 and the share of the AAPI population residing in urban areas.
English-language Proficiency
Linguistic Dimensions of SC’s AAPI
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Prior research has indicated clearly that English-language abilities and socio-economic well-being are strongly associated.
Most AAPI individuals speak English as their sole language, or Very Well/Well. However, Burmese, Cambodian, Japanese, Korean, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Vietnamese have at least 10% of their populations that do not speak it well, or at all, according to self-assessed levels.
Voices from the Communit(ies)
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Conclusions and Takeaways
AAPI Statistical Profile 2024 Edition
Members of the AAPI community have contributed immensely to the state’s economic, cultural, political, and academic fabric. In general, AAPI have higher educational attainment levels, incomes, homeownership rates, and lower poverty rates.
However, not all AAPI subgroups are comprised the same. Some have lower educational attainment levels and so forth. Therefore, addressing needs on a targeted basis may be more effective for the AAPI community.
Lastly, due to high rates of immigration and varying levels of English-speaking levels, it may make sense to extend courses in American and South Carolinian Civics and Government, English language instruction, and other services to specific communities across the state.
Thank you
For comments, inquiries, or data requests, please contact:
Robert P. Fenton, PhD
Director of Research and Planning
CMA
rfenton@cma.sc.gov
803-832-8301