The Community Profiles Project uses data from the 1990 U.S. Census to describe some of the population characteristics of Asian Pacific Americans in selected Massachusetts cities and towns. The profiles include basic statistics relating to income, employment, education, and housing. This information can assist policy makers and practitioners in developing programs and policies affecting Asian Pacific Americans that are appropriate, sensitive, and effective. This profile focuses on Lowell, where the 11,549 Asian Pacific Americans recorded in the 1990 Census as living in Lowell represented 11% of the city's population. Over half of the city's Asian Pacific Americans were Cambodian, and there were dramatic differences in the English proficiency of the Asian Pacific Americans, with older adults being much less proficient in English. The percentage of Asian Pacific Americans in the lowest income category in Lowell was nearly twice that of Whites, but, conversely, the percentage of Asian Pacific Americans in the highest income categories was the largest of any non-White group. The per capita income of Asian Pacific Americans in Lowell was less than one-half that of Whites, less than that of Blacks, and comparable to that of Hispanic Americans. Nearly 50% of all Asian Pacific Americans in Lowell were enrolled in school, the highest percentage of school enrollment of any racial and ethnic group. When those over 25 were considered, a higher percentage of Asian Pacific Americans than of the general population had less than a ninth-grade education. On the other hand, a considerably higher proportion of Asian Pacific Americans had secured graduate and professional degrees compared with all other groups and the total population. These findings reflect the considerable diversity of the city's Asian Pacific Americans. (Contains nine figures and eight tables.) (SLD)