asian american populations growing in the mountain west

We all know there is a large concentration of Asian American populations in the United States on the East and West Coast. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, et cetera, et cetera. We know this. But did you know that the Asian American population is rapidly rising in other, more unlikely areas as well?

This decade, the Asian population has grown at a faster rate than that of the Hispanic population in 14 states—including Nevada, Arizona and Texas—as well as Washington D.C.: In a twist, USA's Asians are heading to the Mountain West.

Contrary to historical settlement patterns, growing numbers of Asian Americans are beginning to leave the traditional main gateways to the west, like California and Washington. Blame ridiculous home prices, poor schools, jammed freeways and/or persistent crime. Whatever the reason, they're packing up and moving to other spots in the west, like Las Vegas and Phoenix, hoping for better lifestyles.

Take Nevada, for instance. Since 1990, the state has had the most rapid growth of any state in the number of Asians and Pacific Islanders. According to Census Bureau estimates, he number jumped 174% in the 1990s and 67% so far this decade to about 211,000. Asians now make up about 8.2% of Nevada's 2.6 million people—a higher percentage than the national share of 5.4 percent.

Asians. Diversifying your state!