Group photo of community leaders and speakers participating in the press briefing on Montgomery County’s Asian American community. (Credit: Jaisohn Center)
The three-year study finds that the Asian American population grew by 31.9% between 2010 and 2020
(The following press release was provided verbatim by Phillip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation)
The Asian American Coalition for Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (Jaisohn Center), HealthSpark Foundation, and Montgomery County, has released a first-of-its-kind report offering a comprehensive look at the county’s Asian American population. Understanding Asian American Diversity & Growth: A Community Profile in Montgomery County, PA presents new data on the county’s fastest growing single racial group and highlights both the community’s significant strengths and its often overlooked barriers.
“These findings will help us design services, programs, and policies that truly reflect the realities of our Asian American residents,” said George Choe, President, Jaisohn Center. “For major service providers, this report offers a deeper understanding of our diverse community and guidance on how to connect with them more effectively.”
The three-year study – conducted by Sojourner Consulting and Solutions International and funded through Montgomery County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation – finds that the Asian American population grew by 31.9% between 2010 and 2020 and now includes nearly 68,000 residents representing at least 24 ethnic groups. The report notes that this diverse, largely working-age population will play an important role in the county’s future workforce and economic vitality.
“This research highlights both tremendous strengths and urgent, unmet needs,” said Emma Hertz, President and CEO, HealthSpark Foundation. “From language access to senior poverty to mental health stigma, addressing these barriers will require intentional collaboration with community leaders and culturally grounded organizations.”
The report emphasizes that addressing these challenges will require a coordinated response from local government, service providers, and community-based organizations. With detailed, disaggregated data now available for the first time, county leaders have a clearer foundation for developing culturally responsive services and investing in community infrastructure needed to support a rapidly growing and diverse population.
"Montgomery County is proud to be home to one of the most diverse and fastest-growing AAPI communities in the Commonwealth. By investing in this study with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, we sought to gather valuable insights about existing needs of our diverse AAPI communities, as well as to build a foundation to guide future decision-making," said Neil K. Makhija, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. "The report is both a culmination and a beginning, and shows our commitment to thoughtfully serving a community that is a critical part of the fabric of our society."
The full report and executive summary are available at https://jaisohn.org/advocacy-leadership/asian-americans/reports.
The organizations held a Dec. 10 press briefing on the report, featuring remarks from Montgomery County Commissioners Neil Makhija and Jamila Winder, community leaders, and local service providers, including Dr. Neil Broxterman of North Penn School District.
About the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation
The Asian American Coalition for Health and Human Services, in partnership with the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation (Jaisohn Center), initiated and developed the project concept. They convened a diverse steering committee of leaders from eight Asian ethnic groups to guide the study. The Jaisohn Center plays a key role in providing programmatic support and technical assistance to Asian American leaders and community-based organizations throughout the region. Learn more at https://jaisohn.org.
About HealthSpark Foundation
HealthSpark Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Through its grantmaking, convening, and leadership, HealthSpark backs these essential efforts by prioritizing initiatives that uplift transformative leaders, foster thriving communities, and expand opportunities and justice for all. Guided by its strategic goals – Community Power, Leadership, and Solutions – the foundation pursues its mission to achieve healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County. Learn more at https://healthspark.org.
About Montgomery County Recovery Office
The Montgomery County Recovery Office was established to manage the County's $161 million allocation of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Created in 2021, the office leads strategic funding efforts across public health, economic recovery, housing, and infrastructure, focusing on equity and sustainability. The Recovery Office became nationally recognized for its cross-sector coordination and intentional investment in underserved communities. Learn more at https://montgomerycountypa.gov/4202/Recovery-Office.
About Sojourner Consulting
Sojourner Consulting is a mission-driven consultancy based in Philadelphia, PA and working nationally to provide services in planning, policy, and research. Learn more at https://sojournerconsulting.co.
About Solutions International
Solutions International is a consultancy based in Philadelphia, PA. Principal Fernando Chang-Muy is a lawyer, activist and strategic business and leadership adviser. He is the Thomas O’Boyle Lecturer in Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law.
