Richmond Metropolitan Chinese American Community

A community of 3,500 + families and individuals with mixture of background, ethnicity, country of origin, religious belief, professions, and interest. A majority of the Richmond Chinese Americans are considered new comers to Richmond (i.e., from early 1980's). According to the U.S. Census, the Asian American population in the Metropolitan Richmond grew 82% from 1990 to 2000. A large part of that growth can be attributed to the Chinese Americans who made Richmond Metro their home.

Our community comprises of wide diversity. We have a fairly large group of young professional just starting families. About 25% of the Chinese Americans here are American born or have been in the U.S. for greater part of their lives. They comprise the two extremes of the spectrum, the young and the older generation. The U.S. Census shown that in 2000, nationwide, 42% of the Asian Americans are American born and the projection indicates that segment of the population will be growing at a greater rate. Our older generation population (although is shrinking) continues to be the rock of our community foundation. They were the trailblazers and bridge-builders that made quality life possible for all of us new comers. The rest or the majority of our community members, are immigrants from Taiwan (Republic of China), China (People's Republic of China), Hong Kong (PRC), Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thai, etc. Many of the Southeast Asians identified themselves as ethnic Chinese having lived in a Southeast Asian country. They are able to speak their native language as well as a Chinese dialect.

The recent influx of Chinese immigrants as well as migration of Chinese Americans from other areas of U.S. to the Richmond area were largely due to education and career/employment opportunities. Affordability and quality of urban life style and moderate climate also made Richmond area a preferred location for residency. More and more Asian Americans are migrating to the South, the 2000 U.S. Census indicated the rate of migration & immigration to the South exceeds the comparatively large population of California. A large percent of Chinese Americans in Richmond area hold employment in the private and public sector IT or other scientific/technical areas. A majority of the Chinese American business owners are in the restaurant business; however, we are beginning to see emergent enterprises in IT, financial planning and management, trade/sales, etc.

Regardless of one's claim of Chinese extraction, whether he/she is a Chinese American, Chinese-Vietnamese, Chinese-Taiwanese, Chinese-Filipino, etc., the commonalities that we all share are our cherished tradition, family value, and our affinity for the Richmond community. The ever growing and enhancement of our Chinese American community are attributed to the dedicated local-grown volunteers, merchants, businesses, and civic and religious organizations that believe in strength and goodness derive from commitment to community welfare and being an agent of change and action.

We welcome you to visit our Chinese American Community web page as well as contacting individual organizations listed in our resource link to learn more about us.