According to U.S. Census Bureau reports released this month, there are about 485,000 Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants living in Washington state. They make up the second-largest minority group after Hispanics, who number about 550,000.
According to the 2000 census, there are about 47,000 people of Korean descent living in Washington state. About 7,600 people of Korean descent live in Snohomish County, 10,500 live in Pierce County, and 20,000 live in King County.
Korean immigrants in the region say they number many more than reported.
State Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, a Korean immigrant who was adopted by an American soldier after the Korean War, said unofficial estimates have the Korean community in Western Washington numbering as many as 120,000.
Shin believes there are about 100,000 Korean immigrants in the region. Tacoma and Federal Way have long been centers for Korean immigrants, but some Koreans say southern Snohomish County is quickly becoming a large, if unofficial, Koreatown.
An untold number of Korean families live in the region while their children attend high school. Local Koreans say there is no way to know how many families live in Western Washington temporarily, for the sake of their children’s education.
Other 2000 census figures:
Ukrainian and Russian: 93,000 in Washington state; 10,600 in Snohomish County.
Mexican: 329,900 in Washington state; 19,500 in Snohomish County.
Chinese: 60,000 in Washington state; 4,500 in Snohomish County.
Vietnamese: 46,000 in Washington state; 5,200 in Snohomish County.
Japanese: 36,000 in Washington state; 2,500 in Snohomish County.
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