Swiss Americans facts for kids
| Schweizamerikaner (German) Suisses américains (French) Svizzero americano (Italian) Svizer american (Romansh) |
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|---|---|
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| Total population | |
| c. 0.9 million (2013) 0.3% of the U.S. population | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| New York, Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana, Missouri, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Texas and Oregon | |
| Languages | |
| English · French · German • Italian • Romansh | |
| Religion | |
| mostly Christianity (Reformed, Catholic and Lutheran) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Swiss people, Swiss diaspora; European Americans |
Swiss Americans are people in the United States whose families originally came from Switzerland. Many Swiss people moved to America even before the U.S. became a country. Often, they were looking for a place where they could practice their religion freely. For example, some early Swiss immigrants were Anabaptists, a religious group who faced challenges in Switzerland. They helped form communities like the Amish in America.
In the 19th century, many Swiss farmers came to the U.S. They often settled in rural areas of the Midwest. After 1930, fewer Swiss people moved to America, but some still do today. About one million Americans have Swiss family roots. In 2015, around 80,000 Swiss citizens lived permanently in the United States.
Contents
Swiss Immigration to America
Why Swiss People Moved to the U.S.
Many Swiss people left their homeland for different reasons. In the early days, some were looking for religious freedom. Groups like the Anabaptists, who had different beliefs, wanted a safe place to live and worship.
Later, in the 1800s, many farmers came to America. They were looking for new land and better opportunities. The U.S. had a lot of open land, especially in the Midwest, which was perfect for farming.
Where Swiss Americans Settled
Swiss immigrants often settled in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. These areas had good farmland. They built communities where they could keep their traditions and languages alive.
Swiss Culture in America
Keeping Traditions Alive
Swiss Americans have helped share Swiss culture in the U.S. This includes things like food, music, and festivals. Many communities still celebrate Swiss holidays and traditions.
Languages Spoken by Swiss Americans
While most Swiss Americans speak English, some families still use languages from Switzerland. These include different types of German, French, Italian, and Romansh. These languages show the diverse background of Switzerland itself.
Famous Swiss Americans
Many Swiss Americans have made important contributions to the United States. They have been involved in many fields, from science to business and politics.
Images for kids
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Swiss emigrants to the USA totaled 104,000 according to the 1890 census.
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Distribution of Swiss Americans according to the 2000 Census.
