As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, a record number of naturalized citizens are eligible to vote. In 2022, 23.8 million naturalized citizens were eligible to cast ballots, comprising about 10% of the U.S. electorate. This is part of a decades-long trend of rising numbers of immigrant voters as more people choose the path to citizenship, according to a Pew Research Study.
RAPID GROWTH OF NATURALIZED CITIZEN VOTERS
The population of naturalized citizen voters has grown significantly in the last decade. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of naturalized citizen voters grew by 32%, from 18 million to 23.8 million. This outpaces the growth of U.S.-born adult voters, which only increased by 8% during the same period, from 202 million to over 217 million.
STATES WITH THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF IMMIGRANT VOTERS
California leads the nation in naturalized citizen voters, with 5.6 million adults, or 23% of the country’s total. Florida, New York, and Texas follow, making up a combined 55% of all naturalized citizen voters.
In 13 states and Washington, D.C., naturalized citizens account for 10% or more of the electorate. The states with the largest percentages of naturalized voters are California (21%), New Jersey (19%), New York (19%), and Florida (17%). Meanwhile, West Virginia and Mississippi have the smallest shares, with naturalized citizens making up just 1% of the electorate.
NATURALIZED VOTERS IN KEY SWING STATES
In key battleground states for the 2024 election, the percentage of naturalized citizens eligible to vote varies widely. Nevada has the highest percentage, with 14% of its electorate being naturalized citizens. Arizona follows at 9%, while Georgia has 7%. In Pennsylvania and Michigan, 5% of eligible voters are naturalized citizens, and Wisconsin has the smallest share, at 3%.
In terms of raw numbers, Georgia has the largest naturalized citizen electorate of these swing states, with 574,000 voters. Pennsylvania is close behind, with 546,000.
TOP COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN FOR IMMIGRANT VOTERS
The top origin countries for naturalized voters reflect long-standing U.S. immigration trends. About 3.7 million voters (15%) were born in Mexico, making it the largest group. Other top countries include India (8%), China (7%), the Philippines (6%), and Vietnam (4%).
Hispanic and Asian American voters now make up the bulk of the naturalized electorate. Hispanics comprise 34% of eligible immigrant voters, while Asian Americans make up 31%.
DEMOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NATURALIZED AND U.S.-BORN VOTERS
Naturalized citizen voters differ from their U.S.-born counterparts in key areas such as age, education, income, and English proficiency.
- Age: 58% of naturalized voters are over 50, compared to 46% of U.S.-born voters. Only 8% of naturalized voters are under 30, while 22% of U.S.-born voters are in this age group.
- Education: A slightly higher percentage of naturalized voters (39%) hold a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 36% of U.S.-born voters.
- Income: The median family income among naturalized voters is $92,870, higher than the $84,000 median for U.S.-born voters.
- English Proficiency: 37% of immigrant voters report speaking English less than “very well,” far higher than the 2% of U.S.-born voters.
GROWING IMPACT OF NATURALIZED VOTERS
With a record 23.8 million naturalized citizens eligible to vote in the 2024 election, their impact on U.S. politics continues to grow. Whether in key battleground states or populous regions like California and New York, the rising influence of naturalized voters is a crucial factor in the upcoming presidential race.
As their numbers swell, naturalized citizens represent a diverse and dynamic part of the U.S. electorate, shaped by varied immigration patterns and distinct demographic characteristics.
