The people of American Samoa are United States nationals, who like United States citizens, owe allegiance to the United States. Many have become naturalized American citizens. In 1995, the territory's population was approximately 58,000 primarily ethnic Samoan. The population has increased despite a large out-migration of Samoans to the United States (a continuous out-migration trend of about 382 migrants per year since 1974). It is estimated that 15,000 Samoans reside in Hawaii and 32,000 in California and 4,000 in Washington (1990). (source)