Iranian Americans: A Growing Population in the U.S.

As tensions between the U.S. And Iran remain high following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks beginning on February 28, 2026, and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , understanding the Iranian American community is more crucial than ever. This article examines the demographics, history, and characteristics of Iranians living in the United States, drawing on data from the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Historical Growth and Immigration Patterns

The Iranian population in the U.S. Has experienced significant growth, increasing more than fourfold between 1980 and 2024. This growth was particularly rapid in the 1980s and 1990s, driven by Iranians seeking refuge following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent Iran-Iraq War. As of 2024, there were approximately 750,000 Iranian Americans, representing 0.2% of the total U.S. Population.

While earlier waves of immigration were largely driven by political upheaval, more recent immigration patterns have shifted. During the 1980s, approximately two-thirds of Iranian immigrants arrived as refugees or were granted asylum. Since then, that proportion has decreased to about one-third.

Geographic Distribution

Iranian Americans are not evenly distributed across the United States. Nearly half (375,000) reside in California. Other states with substantial Iranian populations include Texas (55,000), New York (40,000), and Virginia (30,000). These four states collectively account for two-thirds of the total Iranian American population. Additional states with notable Iranian communities include Florida, Washington, Arizona, and Maryland.

The vast majority of Iranian Americans (97%) live in metropolitan areas, compared to 79% of Americans with other backgrounds. A significant concentration is found in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, where approximately 230,000 Iranian Americans reside, constituting 1.8% of the region’s population. Other major metropolitan areas include New York (45,000), San Francisco (40,000), Washington (40,000), San Jose (30,000), and San Diego (25,000).

Demographic Characteristics

Approximately 59% of Iranians in the U.S. Are immigrants, representing 0.9% of all U.S. Immigrants. More Iranians (445,000) have immigrated to the U.S. Than to any other country, with Germany, Canada, and Turkey being other common destinations. A high percentage of Iranian immigrants (approximately 94%) are in the U.S. Legally, with only about 6% being unauthorized as of 2023.

The rate of U.S. Citizenship among Iranian immigrants has increased significantly over time. In 1980, only 15% were naturalized citizens, while in 2024, that figure rose to 79% – a considerably higher rate than that of non-Iranian immigrants (51%).

Education and Age

Iranian Americans are a highly educated group. In 2024, approximately 79% of Iranians ages 25 and older had at least some college education, compared to 58% of other U.S. Adults. Nearly two-thirds (65%) hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and about 35% possess an advanced degree. This high level of educational attainment is consistent among both Iranian immigrants (76%) and U.S.-born Iranians (86%).

The median age of Iranian Americans is 41.2 years, slightly higher than the overall U.S. Median of 39.2 years. However, this average masks differences based on place of birth. Iranian immigrants tend to be older (54.3 years) than other immigrants (46.6 years), while U.S.-born Iranians are much younger (18.7 years) than other native-born Americans (37.2 years). This age difference reflects the timing of Iranian immigration to the U.S., with most immigrants arriving after 1980, and U.S.-born Iranians being primarily the children of those immigrants.