Panamanian Americans facts for kids
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 206,219 (2018) 0.06% of the U.S. population (2018) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
|
|
| Languages | |
| English, Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Latin Americans, Spanish Americans |
Panamanian Americans are people living in the United States who have family roots in Panama. They are an important part of the diverse population of the U.S. In 2010, about 165,456 people identified as Panamanian American.
Many Panamanian Americans live in big cities. The largest groups are found in Brooklyn, New York, and in South Florida. You can also find many Panamanian Americans living near U.S. military bases. This includes places like Fayetteville, near Fort Bragg, and Killeen, near Fort Hood. Other areas with Panamanian American communities include cities with Navy and Air Force bases, such as San Antonio, Jacksonville, and San Diego.
Contents
A Look at Panamanian American History
It's hard to know exactly how many Panamanians came to the U.S. before 1960. This is because the government used to group them with "others" in their records. By the early 1900s, about 1,000 people from Panama were moving to the U.S. each year.
Changes in Immigration Laws
After World War II, fewer Panamanians came to the U.S. But things changed in 1965. A new immigration law allowed more people to move to the U.S. This law made it easier for people from Panama to come. Because of this, many more Panamanians moved to the United States in the 1970s. By 1990, over 86,000 Americans said they had Panamanian family roots.
Where Panamanian Americans Live
Panamanian Americans live in many different states and cities across the U.S. Here's a look at where most of them live.
Top States for Panamanian Americans
Based on the 2010 Census, these are the states with the largest number of Panamanian Americans:
- Florida - 28,741 people
- New York - 28,200 people
- California - 17,768 people
- Texas - 13,994 people
- Georgia - 8,678 people
Major Cities and Areas
Many Panamanian Americans live in large city areas. These areas are called metropolitan areas. Here are some of the biggest ones:
- New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA - 29,619 people
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL - 13,529 people
- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV - 7,322 people
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA - 6,353 people
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA - 5,599 people
Some specific cities also have many Panamanian Americans:
- New York City - 22,353 people
- Los Angeles - 2,131 people
- San Antonio, TX - 1,602 people
- Jacksonville, FL - 1,165 people
- Fayetteville, NC - 1,154 people
Famous Panamanian Americans
Many Panamanian Americans have become well-known in different fields. Here are a few examples:
- Tatyana Ali - An actress and singer.
- Tyson Beckford - A famous actor and model.
- Aloe Blacc - A popular singer.
- Rubén Blades - A very famous salsa singer, actor, and politician.
- Jordana Brewster - An actress known for her roles in movies.
- Rod Carew - A Baseball Hall of Famer, one of the best baseball players ever.
- Billy Cobham - A well-known jazz drummer and composer.
- Roberto Durán - A Boxing Hall of Famer, considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
- Gwen Ifill - A respected journalist and television newscaster.
- John McCain - A long-time U.S. Senator and presidential candidate. He was born in Panama while his parents were serving in the U.S. Navy.
- Mariano Rivera - A legendary baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.
- Tessa Thompson - An actress known for her roles in many films.
See also
In Spanish: Inmigración panameña en los Estados Unidos para niños
- Panama–United States relations
