The Irish in America

Census 2000 Famous Irish-Americans Internet Links of Interest

March is a significant month for Irish- Americans.  March 17th honors Saint Patrick, the patron Saint of Ireland.  Saint Patrick is commemorated for introducing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th Century. 

Coinciding with Saint Patrick's Day is Irish American Heritage Month, which was first proclaimed by the United States Congress in 1995.  

Census 2000

The 2000 United State Census reports 30,528,492 persons claiming Irish ancestry, 10.8% of the total American population.  This is over 7 times the population of Ireland itself, which was 4 million in the year 2003. 

Irish-Americans are the largest ancestral group in Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

 The states with the largest Irish-American populations are:

1. California- 2,611,449
2. New York- 2,451,042
3. Pennsylvania- 1,981,106
4. Florida- 1,645,585
5. Illinois- 1,511,569

Here is a complete breakdown of the Irish-American population, by state:
State Irish-American population  Irish-Americans as a percentage of total population
Alabama 342,274 7.7
Alaska 67,578 10.8
Arizona 524,306 10.2
Arkansas 254,773 9.5
California 2,611,449 7.7
Colorado 525,507 12.2
Connecticut 565,290 16.6
DC 28,081 4.9
Delaware 129,701 16.6
Florida 1,645,585 10.3
Georgia 640,729 7.8
Hawaii 52,755 4.4
Idaho 129,407 10.0
Illinois 1,511,569 12.2
Indiana 655,530 10.8
Iowa 395,506 13.5
Kansas 309,181 11.5
Kentucky 423,237 10.5
Louisiana 314,647 7.0
Maine 192,344 15.1
Maryland 621,779 11.7
Massachusetts 1,426,453 22.5
Michigan 1,067,474 10.7
Minnesota 552,172 11.2
Mississippi 195,224 6.9
Missouri 711,120 12.7
Montana 133,952 14.8
Nebraska 229,506 13.4
Nevada 219,974 11.0
New Hampshire 240,295 19.4
New Jersey 1,335,535 15.9
New Mexico 132,997 7.3
New York 2,451,042 12.9
North Carolina 594,798 7.4
North Dakota 49,346 7.7
Ohio 1,445,668 12.7
Oklahoma 354,233 10.3
Oregon 406,431 11.9
Pennsylvania 1,981,106 16.1
Rhode Island 193,097 18.4
South Carolina 317,490 7.9
South Dakota 78,379 10.4
Tennessee 526,571 9.3
Texas 1,502,841 7.2
Utah 131,510 5.9
Vermont 99,880 16.4
Virginia 694,263 9.8
Washington 669,861 11.4
West Virginia 198,108 11.0
Wisconsin 582,316 10.9
Wyoming 65,622 13.3

According to the United States Census, Irish-Americans are better-educated and more financially sound than the American population as a whole.  Thirty percent of Irish-Americans age 25 or older have bachelor's degrees or higher, and their annual median household income is $48,900.  Compare this to the Americans population as a whole, with a $42,000 median household income and 24% having bachelor's degrees or higher. 

Famous Irish-Americans:

Some noteworthy Irish-Americans include:


John Fitzgerald Kennedy- President
Frank McCourt- Author 


Daniel Patrick Moynihan-  Senator
Rosie O'Donnell- Entertainer

Internet Links of Interest:
Irish Products:

  • Celtic Shamrock- Irish Gifts for every occasion. The only Irish import shop in Southeastern Michigan. China, gifts, music, jewelry, clothing, brassware, belt buckles, sweatshirts, crystal, Christmas and religious items.

  • The Cross and Shamrock- Specializing in Irish Imports and Religious Goods.

  • Gaelsong- Unique Celtic jewelry and gifts from Ireland and Scotland. 

  • Irishop- Jewelry, crests, gifts, books, crafts, pub memorabilia, and clothing.

  • Irish Brigade Gift Shop- Prints, Books, Clothing, Souvenirs, and Music.

  • Irish Elegance- Popular Irish Gifts, China, Glassware, Clothing, Irish Art, Miniatures, Irish Signs, Jewelry and more. 

  • Irish Eyes Imports, Ltd.- The Finest of Everything Irish.

  • Murphy's Jewelry- Boston jeweler specializing in Claddagh rings. 

  • Waterford Crystal
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