Nevada Ranks Fifth in Foreign-Born Residents

Recent Census Bureau figures show roughly 650,000 foreign-born residents live in Nevada, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state’s population and exceeding the national average of 14.8 percent. In 2014, foreign-born residents made up about 19 percent of Nevada’s population, indicating a modest increase over the past decade.

The Census Bureau defines “foreign-born” as anyone living in the United States who was not a citizen at birth, regardless of current legal status. The agency does not collect data on immigration status, meaning its totals include naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, temporary visa holders, refugees, asylees, and undocumented immigrants.

Nevada ranks fifth among U.S. states in the share of foreign-born residents, trailing only California, New Jersey, New York, and Florida. At the other end of the spectrum, West Virginia, Montana, Wyoming, and Mississippi report the smallest foreign-born populations.

Within Nevada, Reno has the highest share at 13.4 percent, followed by Carson City at 12.7 percent and Las Vegas at about 12 percent. Nationally, the foreign-born population grew from 42.4 million in 2014 to 50.2 million in 2024.