March has been designated as Irish American Heritage Month by US Congress every year since 1991.
President Biden, reflecting on his own Irish roots, proclaimed March 2024 to be Irish American Heritage Month on February 29, like so many of his predecessors before him.
In honor of Irish American Heritage Month 2024, the United States Census Bureau shared some fast facts about what Irish America looks like today.
The Bureau said that the following facts about Irish America are made possible by the invaluable responses to US Census Bureau surveys.
"We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy," the Bureau added.
30.7 million or 9.2%
The number and percentage of US residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022, according to the 2022 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
Sex and age of those who claimed Irish ancestry in the US
Further statistics show that the overall breakdown of US residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022 was 51.8% female and 48.2% male and the the median age was 43.5.
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March 17, 2021: Spectators at the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade.(Getty Images)
March 17, 2021: Spectators at the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade.(Getty Images)
Marital status of those who claimed Irish ancestry in the US
More than 26 million US residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022 were aged 15 and older. Of that figure, 50% were married, 30% were never married, 12% were divorced, 6% were widowed, and 1.2% were separated.
Education levels of those who claimed Irish ancestry in the US
More than 6.2 million US residents aged three and over who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022 were in school.
96% of the nearly 23 million US residents aged 25 and over who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022 had their high school diploma, while 43% had their Bachelor's Degree or higher.
Employment of those who claimed Irish ancestry in the US
More than 15 million US residents aged 16 and over who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022 were employed. The per capita income in the past 12 months (in 2022 inflation-adjusted dollars) was about $52k. The median household income was about $84k, and the median family income was about $108k.
112,251
The number of foreign-born US residents who reported Ireland as their birthplace in 2022, according to the 2022 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
418,997
The number of people living in Cook County, Illinois — the nation’s county with the largest Irish American population — who claimed Irish ancestry in 2022, according to the 2022 American Community Survey 1-year estimates.
An Irish girl celebrating the 4th of July at the US Ambassador's residence in Dublin.(RollingNews.ie)
* Originally published in March 2024, updated in October 2024.
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