Koreans in Washington, D.C. facts for kids
The Korean American community in the Washington, D.C. area is one of the largest Korean communities in the United States. Many Koreans in this area live in the suburbs of Virginia and Maryland.
In 1949, the South Korean Embassy opened in Washington, D.C. By 1960, about 400 to 500 ethnic Koreans lived there. Most of them were wives of American soldiers, students, or people working at the embassy.
From 1990 to 2011, the number of Koreans in Fairfax County, Virginia, more than doubled. Between 2001 and 2011, it grew by almost 50%.
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Who Lives Here? (Demographics)
The 2010 U.S. Census showed that 41,356 ethnic Koreans lived in Fairfax County, Virginia. This made up 3.8% of the county's population. It was also over 60% of all ethnic Koreans in Virginia.
In 2011, Steve Choi, who led the Korean-American Association, said the number of Koreans might be higher. He mentioned that some Korean residents in Northern Virginia are very private. As of 2010, Koreans were the third-largest immigrant group in Fairfax County. In 2000, 62% of Koreans in Virginia lived in Fairfax County.
Almost 25% of Koreans in Fairfax County live in Annandale and Centreville. Annandale has a special area called a Koreatown in its center. This area has been active since the late 1980s.
In 2011, Professor Larry Shinagawa from the University of Maryland said more Koreans in Fairfax County were starting businesses. Community leaders said that good schools in Fairfax County Public Schools helped the Korean community grow. Also, nonstop flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and Incheon Airport (in South Korea) started around 2000. This made it easier for people to visit family.
Pyong Gap Min, an author, wrote in 2006 that Fairfax County was a good place for Koreans to live. He said this was because of its suburban lifestyle and its closeness to Washington, D.C.
In 2000, there were 39,155 Koreans in Maryland. About 40% of them lived in Montgomery County, Maryland. Professor Shinagawa noted that Koreans in Maryland often have higher education. They tend to work in areas like banking, government, law, and science.
How People Make a Living (Economy)
In 2006, many Koreans in Fairfax County, Virginia, owned businesses in Washington, D.C. Others worked for the U.S. federal government.
When Koreans first started moving to the area, many lived in northern Virginia. They often owned businesses in Washington, D.C. In the early 1990s, there were not many Korean businesses in Annandale, Virginia. After that, more and more Korean businesses opened in Virginia. Professor Shinagawa explained that more businesses opened in Virginia than in Maryland. This was due to differences in tax rates.
Important Places (Institutions)
The South Korean government has its Embassy of South Korea, Washington, D.C. here. An embassy is like a special office for a country in another country.
News and Entertainment (Media)
As of 2011, Northern Virginia had four Korean-language newspapers. It also had three Korean-language television channels and one Korean-language radio station. This helps the community stay connected to their culture.
Learning and Schools (Education)
Fairfax County Public Schools offers Korean language classes. These classes are available at Fairfax High School Academy and at four elementary schools. Both Korean students and non-Korean students can take these classes. In September 2010, the school district had 6,387 students who spoke Korean as their first language.
Fun Activities (Recreation)
The government of Montgomery County, Maryland, has created a special day called Korean-American Day. This day celebrates the Korean-American community.
Places of Worship (Religion)
For Protestants, the Korean Central Presbyterian Church is in Centreville. For Catholics, the St. Paul Chung Korean Catholic Church is also in Centreville.
Well-Known People
- David Chang (a famous chef and restaurant owner) - from Vienna, Virginia
- John Myung (a professional poker player) - from Vienna, Virginia
