Saratoga's Asian Population Rises

Editor's Note: This article was written for Saratoga Patch as part of a San Jose State University journalism class assignment. The writer welcomes your feedback and comments.

Saratoga is home to about 30,000 residents. About 12,376 of them, or about 40 percent, are of Asian heritage, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

Saratoga Councilwoman Emily Lo isn't unfamiliar with the rising numbers and believes it's key to a diverse and thriving community.

"There is a lot of cross-cultural interaction, whether you’re doing business in the academic or medical field. Living in a multicultural community you’re being exposed to different cultures and experiences and that's great," Lo said.

Saratoga has noticed a climb in its Asian population since 2000, according to the data.

Just over a decade ago, Saratoga was home to 8,679 people of Asian heritage.

According to the U.S. Census, the term "Asian" includes Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and other.

Saratoga also has 16,125 Caucasian residents and the next highest population ethnicity after Asian is Hispanic, with 1,034 residents.

The mix of culture in the city, Lo said, is beneficial to grow up in.

"Because we have a diversified population, with first-generation, second-generation immigrants or American-born Asians, there is a need to build a community out of this diversification," Lo said.

Leonard Lai has lived in Saratoga for 20 years and said the population is definitely making its mark in the city.

"To reflect the area and the growing population of the race, more stores have been opening up in the area that cater to the culture, such as a super market closing down and becoming an Asian super market and also eventually becoming an Asian plaza," said Lai.

In response to the new residents, Saratoga hosted its first, and successful, inaugural Blossom Festival on March 25 with about 3,000 attendees.

The festival was hosted at the Saratoga Civic Center and Heritage Orchard featuring cherry blossoms, food, a petting zoo, local artists, and music.

Saratoga also celebrates Lunar New Year, the Lantern Walk on Halloween, Diwali and a Japanese Festival to embrace the cultures that thrive in the city.

Lo is optimistic about these community events and fully supports them.

"I'm hoping that through these events, people come together and enjoy themselves," she said.