Immigration continues to shape daily life across the United States, from housing demand to restaurant scenes to neighborhood business districts. Using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates released in September 2024, this list looks at 10 major U.S. cities with the largest immigrant populations by the number of foreign-born residents. The figures below refer to city populations, not metro areas, so the rankings can look different from broader regional lists.
New York City, New York
New York City remains the country’s largest immigrant hub by total numbers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey 1-year estimates, about 3 million foreign-born residents lived in New York City, the highest total of any U.S. city.
That scale shows up across all five boroughs, with Queens and Brooklyn long known for large immigrant communities. City planning and school systems reflect that mix, and NYC Public Schools has said students in the system speak more than 180 languages.
For travelers, that means entire corridors shaped by migration, from Jackson Heights in Queens to Sunset Park in Brooklyn. The city’s cultural identity is tied directly to those population numbers, and the Census data confirms that no other U.S. city comes close in raw total.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ranks near the top nationally with one of the biggest foreign-born populations in the country. Census Bureau estimates for 2023 put the city’s immigrant population at roughly 1.5 million, making LA a clear No. 2 by total city count…