In a recent blog post, we used decennial Census data to track the growth of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population in the 11-County ARC region over the last few decades. However, that analysis treated all Asian and Pacific Islander populations as a single group, when in reality, they represent a wide range of distinct ethnic communities. What groups make up Atlanta’s AAPI population? And how have different communities established unique enclaves within the region?
To answer these questions, we turn to the American Community Survey (ACS), which provides a more detailed breakdown of racial subcategories than the 10-year Decennial Census.
A Breakdown of Atlanta’s AAPI Population
Table 1 categorizes the AAPI population into the major groups currently reported by the Census Bureau:
| Count | Percent | |
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 382,357 | 100.0% |
| East Asian | 113,923 | 29.8% |
| Southeast Asian | 83,861 | 21.9% |
| South Asian | 169,710 | 44.4% |
| Central Asian | 2,407 | 0.6% |
| Other Asian | 3,373 | 0.9% |
| Two or more Asian | 6,207 | 1.6% |
| Pacific Islander | 2,876 | 0.8% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Tables B02015 and B02016
As the table shows, South Asians (e.g., Asian Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) represent the largest Asian subgroup, followed by East Asians (e.g., Chinese, Korean, Hmong) and Southeast Asians (e.g., Vietnamese, Filipino, Burmese). Together, these three groups account for approximately 96% of Atlanta’s AAPI population. Central Asians (e.g., Kazakh, Uzbek), other Asian groups, and Pacific Islanders make up the remaining 4%.
Looking closer at the 11-County ARC region, four major subgroups comprise 79% of the total AAPI population as of the 2023 5-year ACS: Asian Indian (147,512 people, or 38.6% of the total AAPI population); Mainland Chinese[1] (54,078, or 14.1%); Korean (48,650 or 12.7%); and Vietnamese (51,868 or 13.6%).
Mapping AAPI Communities in Metro Atlanta
Let’s take a look at where each as settled within our region via dot-density maps. For each of these four maps below, one dot represents five people; the dots are randomly scattered within the Census tract of residence.
Map 1: Atlanta’s Asian Indian Population
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Table B02015
Asian Indians not only form the largest AAPI group in Atlanta, but they are also the most geographically spread out. As seen above on Map 1, their highest concentrations are found in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and southern Forsyth County. However, significant communities also exist in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs cities near 285/400, Smyrna city and unincorporated Cobb (between Marietta and Kennesaw), northeast DeKalb County (between Avondale Estates and Clarkston), Peachtree City in Fayette County, Morrow in Clayton County, and near Georgia Tech in the City of Atlanta.
Map 2: Atlanta’s Mainland Chinese Population
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Table B02015
Like Asian Indians, the Mainland Chinese population (see Map 2 above) is heavily concentrated in Johns Creek and near Georgia Tech in the City of Atlanta. However, distinct settlement patterns do emerge elsewhere. In Gwinnett County, major Chinese communities are found along the Buford Highway Corridor, particularly in areas near Peachtree Corners, Berkeley Lake, and Duluth. Additional concentrations exist north and east of Emory University in DeKalb County, as well as in Clayton County near Riverdale.
Map 3: Atlanta’s Korean Population
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Table B02015
The Korean community (see Map 3 above) is similar in spatial distribution to the Chinese population, as it is also heavily concentrated in Johns Creek and South Forsyth. However, Korean settlement is more evenly distributed across both sides of I-85 in Gwinnett County. Other notable Korean communities are found in Buckhead (between I-75 and I-85), Rockdale County along I-20, western Forsyth County, DeKalb County near Clarkston, northern Peachtree City and southern Tyrone in Fayette County, and the City of Lovejoy in Clayton County.
Map 4: Atlanta’s Vietnamese Population
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates, Table B02015
Atlanta’s Vietnamese population (see Map 4 above) is concentrated in very different areas than are the preceding groups. The strongest spatial concentration is in Gwinnett County south of I-85, particularly in the unincorporated areas between Lilburn and Lawrenceville. Clayton County also has a sizable Vietnamese community, particularly around Lake City and Morrow cities. Other areas of settlement include Doraville and Clarkston in DeKalb County, as well as neighborhoods surrounding McDonough and Stockbridge in Henry County.
So, Atlanta’s AAPI population is far from ‘monolithic’. It is a rich tapestry of distinct communities, each with its own distinct identity and geographic footprint. By examining their settlement patterns, we gain valuable insights into how these communities shape the economic, social, and cultural landscapes of our region.
Notes:
[1] Formally, the Census Bureau refers to this group as “Chinese, except Taiwanese.”
Link to the data found in the dot-density maps (as well as counts for additional subgroups): AAPI x Tract