Laotian Americans
The category ‘Laotian American' includes all ethnic groups who lived within the borders of Laos, except the Hmong community.[4] Refugees began arriving in the U.S. after a Communist government came to power in Laos in 1975 and by 1980, the Laotian population of the U.S. reached 47,683, according to census estimates.The states with the largest Laotian American populations (including the Hmong from Laos) are California (58,424, 0.2%), Texas (13,298, 0.1%), Minnesota (10,065, 0.2%), Washington (9,333, 0.2%), Colorado (7,434, 0.1%), Tennessee (6,336, 0.1%), Illinois (5,822, 0.1%), North Carolina (5,566, 0.1%), Georgia (5,560, 0.1%), Florida (4,896, 0.05%), and Oregon (4,692, 0.1%).In the Southwestern and Midwestern United States, there are Laotian communities in Denver, Colorado; Storm Lake, Iowa (400; 4%), and Wichita, Kansas (1,594; 0.4%).Published in San Diego by a small volunteer staff, the magazine has reached widespread national circulation within the Laotian-American community.After the publication ceased, former staff member and Yale University graduate Siamphone Louankang created the popular online magazine LaoAmericans.com,[24] which continues to share stories by and about Americans of Laotian descent.Krysada Binly Phounsiri (Lancer) & Kennedy Phounsiri (EraNetik), brothers from San Diego, California who share the same passion for breakdancing, were featured on season 6 of America's Got Talent with a dance team called the Body Poets and are now current performers in the Jabbawockeez - "MÜS.I.C" Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 6), in episode 2 titled “Room Service” both the murder victim and perpetrator are Laotian American.While many of the individuals discussed in this section may not be notable among the general U.S. population, they are considered pioneers in sport within the Laotian American community and many are believed to be the first to compete at a national level or higher.Phoothaphone “Ko” Chandetka is a nationally recognized competitive body builder of Laotian descent[29] who has competed on and off for over twenty years.[30][31][32][33] Examples of Laotian American football players competing at the NCAA Division I level include Scott Phaydavong (Drake University),[34][35] Ramaud Chiaokiao-Bowman (Northwestern),[36] Taisun Phommachanh (Clemson),[37][38] Malachi Moore,[39] Tyler Phommachanh (University of Connecticut),[40][41] and Nous Keobounnam (Oregon State).[48] Angelina Messina, a competitive swimmer from Illinois who is of mixed Laotian and Italian heritage, competed in the 2020 United States Olympic Trials at the age of sixteen.
SacramentoSan Francisco Bay AreaOaklandTwin Cities, MinnesotaDallas-Fort Worth areaFresnoCentral CaliforniaSan DiegoNashville, TennesseeSeattle areaPortland, OregonLos Angeles areaPiedmont TriadAmerican EnglishFrenchTheravada BuddhismChristianityShamanismAnimismLao peopleoverseas LaotianLaotians in FranceLaotian CanadiansAsian AmericansromanizedAmericanswarfare and disruption of the 1970sMekong Riverethnic groupsHmong communityVietnam WarCaliforniaMinnesotaWashingtonColoradoTennesseeIllinoisNorth CarolinaGeorgiaFloridaOregonHmong AmericanSeattle metropolitan areaDallas–Fort Worth metropolitan areaSacramento metropolitan areaMinneapolis – Saint PaulSan Diego metropolitan areaFresno metropolitan areaGreater Los Angeles AreaNashville metropolitan areaPortland metropolitan areaChicago metropolitan areaSan Joaquin County, CaliforniaProvidence, Rhode IslandDenver metropolitan areaDes Moines, IowaAnchorage metropolitan areaFort Smith, ArkansasArkoma, OklahomaSouthern United StatesSt. PetersburgHabersham County, GeorgiaHouston, TexasSouthwesternMidwestern United StatesDenver, ColoradoStorm Lake, IowaWichita, KansasOaklawn-SunviewAuroraJolietRockfordRichmondSan PabloSan JoseSanta RosaRoselandEurekaReddingStocktonYuba CityMercedTulare County, CaliforniaPortervilleLos Angeles Metropolitan areaInland EmpireBanningNortheastNew EnglandWoonsocket, Rhode IslandLowell, MassachusettsNewmarket, New HampshireWest Valley City, UtahAsian BoyzBloodsdivided by ethnic groupsBuddhism in LaosReligion in Laospre-Buddhist animist or folk beliefsSeventh-day AdventistRoman Catholic ChurchWashington, D.C.San Diego, CaliforniaMorris, ConnecticutLafayetteNew IberiaLouisianaThe Betrayal (Nerakhoon)King of the HillToby HussLauren TomLucy LiuAmy HillMike JudgePamela AdlonJames SieJamie WyethAmerica's Got TalentJabbawockeezLas Vegas, NevadaKhan Malaythongbody builderMr. OlympiafootballNCAA Division IDrake University