Finnish Americans facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 653,222 (2019 US Census) 0.20% of the US population | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Midwest | 190,289 |
| West | 105,334 |
| South | 54,630 |
| Northeast | 45,131
|
 Michigan |
68,203 |
 Minnesota |
63,929 |
 California |
32,028 |
 Washington |
31,385 |
 Wisconsin |
27,011 |
 Florida |
18,990 |
 Oregon |
15,141 |
 Massachusetts |
14,279 |
 Ohio |
11,003 |
 Illinois |
10,913 |
 Arizona |
9,783 |
 Texas |
9,658 |
 New York |
8,430 |
 Colorado |
8,111 |
 New Hampshire |
5,871 |
| Languages | |
| American English · Finnish · Swedish | |
| Religion | |
| Lutheranism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Finnish people · Finnish Canadians · Estonian Americans · Sami Americans · Scandinavian Americans | |
Finnish Americans are people living in the United States who have family roots from Finland. They are also called amerikansuomalaiset in Finnish, which means "Finns of America." Many Finnish people moved to the U.S. over the years, bringing their culture with them.
Today, there are more than 650,000 Finnish Americans across the country. This group makes up a small but important part of the U.S. population. They have helped shape many communities, especially in certain states.
Contents
Who Are Finnish Americans?
Finnish Americans are people whose ancestors came from Finland. Finland is a country in Northern Europe. Many Finns moved to the U.S. looking for new opportunities. They often came to work in industries like mining and logging.
These immigrants brought their traditions, language, and way of life. Over time, they built new lives and communities in America. Their descendants continue to celebrate their heritage.
Where Do Finnish Americans Live?
Finnish Americans live in all parts of the United States. However, they are most common in certain regions. The Midwest has the largest number of Finnish Americans. The West is the next most popular region for them.
Many Finnish immigrants settled in areas with jobs in natural resources. This is why states with forests and mines became popular. They formed strong communities there.
Top States for Finnish Americans
Some states have a very large number of Finnish Americans. These states often have a rich Finnish heritage. They might even have towns with Finnish names or traditions.
- Michigan: This state has the most Finnish Americans. Many settled in the Upper Peninsula. They worked in copper and iron mines.
- Minnesota: Another state in the Midwest with many Finnish Americans. They often worked in logging and farming.
- California: A surprising number of Finnish Americans live here. They moved for different reasons, including farming and city jobs.
- Washington: This state in the Pacific Northwest also has a notable Finnish population.
- Wisconsin: Like Michigan and Minnesota, Wisconsin attracted Finnish immigrants for its natural resources.
Other states with many Finnish Americans include Florida, Oregon, and Massachusetts. Even though they are spread out, these communities keep their culture alive.
What Languages Do They Speak?
Most Finnish Americans today speak American English. This is because English is the main language in the U.S. However, many older Finnish Americans still speak Finnish.
Some families also speak Swedish. This is because Swedish is an official language in Finland. A small number of Finns in Finland speak Swedish as their first language.
What Religions Do They Practice?
The main religion among Finnish Americans is Lutheranism. This is the largest Christian church in Finland. When Finns came to the U.S., they often built Lutheran churches.
These churches became important centers for their communities. They helped new immigrants connect with each other. They also helped preserve Finnish culture and traditions.
Images for kids
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Suomi Hall, a meeting hall of Finnish immigrants, in Astoria, Oregon.
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Bilingual street signs in English and Finnish in Hancock, Michigan, home of Finlandia University.
