Nepalese in the USA: Community, Numbers & Hubs

The Nepalese in the USA are one of the country's youngest and fastest-growing immigrant communities, expanding from a small student presence in the 1990s to a population of around a quarter of a million today. This is a short companion to our fuller overview of the Nepali diaspora worldwide, focusing on how the American community took shape, where it clusters, and how it keeps Nepali culture alive an ocean away from the Himalayas.

Key takeaways

• The 2020 US Census counted about 219,503 people of Nepali origin, with Pew estimating roughly 225,000 by 2023.
• The community grew an extraordinary amount in a decade, ranking among the fastest-growing Asian groups in the country.
• Dallas, New York and Washington DC are the biggest metro hubs; Texas, New York and Ohio lead by state.
• Diversity Visa winners, students, skilled workers and resettled Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin all fuelled the growth.
• Nepalese Americans are highly educated and earn above the national median household income.

How many Nepalese live in the USA?

The 2020 US Census recorded roughly 219,503 people of Nepali origin (alone or in combination), a jump of about 269 percent over the previous decade - one of the largest increases of any Asian group. Pew Research later estimated the population at around 225,000 in 2023, up from about 180,000 in 2019.

By state, Texas leads (around 28,700), followed by New York (about 23,100) and Ohio (about 21,600), with sizeable communities in California, Pennsylvania and Virginia. By metro area, Pew points to Dallas (about 22,000), New York (about 18,000) and Washington DC (about 15,000) as the largest hubs.

How the community grew

Several forces drove this rapid rise. The Diversity Visa (green card) lottery has long been popular in Nepal and brought many families over. A wave of international students and skilled professionals added to the numbers, settling in college towns and tech and healthcare hubs. And crucially, the United States resettled tens of thousands of Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin (the Lhotshampa) from camps in eastern Nepal, with the US taking in the largest share of a programme that resettled over 100,000 people. Many built new lives in cities like Columbus, Akron, Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, reshaping the map of Nepali America.

A high-achieving community

By the headline measures, Nepalese Americans do well. Pew found that around 51 percent of those aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's or advanced degree, far above the US average, and that the median household income was about 94,800 US dollars in 2023. English proficiency is high too, with a majority speaking English well or as their main language. The community spans medicine, IT, hospitality, accountancy and small business, from Nepali-run restaurants and grocery stores to professional firms.

Keeping Nepali culture alive

Wherever Nepalis gather in America, the culture of home follows. Community associations across the country organise Dashain and Tihar celebrations each autumn, complete with tika, food and cultural programmes. Hindu and Buddhist temples, Nepali grocery stores and restaurants serving momo and dal bhat double as community anchors, and families work to pass the Nepali language to a US-born generation.

If you want to connect with the community - or simply greet a Nepali neighbour warmly - a few phrases go a long way. Start free with our learn Nepali hub and phrasebook, and try how to say hello in Nepali. For the wider picture, see our overview of the Nepali diaspora and its sister community, the Nepalese in the UK.

Sources

• Nepalese in the U.S. - Pew Research Center
• U.S. Census: Nepali Population in the USA Soars to 219,503 - NEPYORK
• Nepalese Americans - Wikipedia
• Bhutanese refugees - Wikipedia
• 100,000 Bhutanese Refugees Resettled - IOM