Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Orange County are the fourth largest Asian Pacific Islander population in the nation after Los Angeles County, CA, Honolulu County, HI, and Santa Clara County, CA. (U.S. Census 2000)

Orange County is second only to Los Angeles County for having the most Asian and Pacific Islander - owned businesses in the U.S.-almost 45,000 - and they add $15 billion to the economy of Orange County. (U.S. Census Bureau, 1997 Asian and Pacific Islander Financial Report, 2001)

Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) are the fastest growing population in Orange County, increasing by 59%. (U.S. Census 2000)

Approximately 13% of the API population in Orange County lives below poverty level, compared to 4% for whites. (U.S. Census 1990)

Per capita income of APIs in Orange County is $14,849, 32.3% below the white population. (U.S. Census 1990)

The unemployment rate for APIs is 5.4%. (U.S. Census 1990)

33% of APIs in Orange County are linguistically isolated, meaning there are no persons in the household over the age of 13 years who speak English “well” or “very well.” (U.S. Census 1990)