For the first few years that I lived in Pittsburgh, I didn’t think there was much of an Asian population whatsoever. I’ve since learned far more about the city and sought out more cultural diversity — though, per 2025 Census data, only around 6.2% of city occupants are Asian. But there was something about learning that many of Pittsburgh’s first-ever Chinese occupants were from the same tiny city my family came from that made me feel incredibly connected to its roots.
