 More recent immigration in the late 20th century and early 21st century has fueled new communities of Hispanics and Asians . As of 2015 , 9 @.@ 0 % of Virginians are Hispanic or Latino ( of any race ) , and 6 @.@ 5 % are Asian . The state 's Hispanic population rose by 92 % from 2000 to 2010 , with two @-@ thirds of Hispanics living in Northern Virginia . Hispanic citizens in Virginia have higher median household incomes and educational attainment than the general Virginia population . As far as Hispanic groups , there is a large Salvadoran population in the DC suburbs of Northern Virginia , and a large Puerto Rican population in the Hampton Roads region of Southeast Virginia . Northern Virginia also has a significant population of Vietnamese Americans , whose major wave of immigration followed the Vietnam War , and Korean Americans , whose migration has been more recent and was induced in part by the quality school system . The Filipino American community has about 45 @,@ 000 in the Hampton Roads area , many of whom have ties to the U.S. Navy and armed forces . 
