Greek-American Culture In Portland, Oregon
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Greek Americans ( el, Ελληνοαμερικανοί ''Ellinoamerikanoí'' ''Ellinoamerikánoi'' ) are
Americans Americans are the Citizenship of the United States, citizens and United States nationality law, nationals of the United States, United States of America.; ; Although direct citizens and nationals make up the majority of Americans, many Multi ...
of full or partial Greek ancestry. The lowest estimate is that 1.2 million Americans are of Greek descent while the highest estimate suggests over 3 million. 350,000 people older than five spoke Greek at home in 2010. Greek Americans have the highest concentrations in the
New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
,
Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...
, and
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...
regions, but have settled in major
metropolitan area A metropolitan area or metro is a region that consists of a densely populated urban agglomeration and its surrounding territories sharing industries, commercial areas, transport network, infrastructures and housing. A metro area usually com ...
s across the United States. In 2000, Tarpon Springs, Florida, was home to the highest per capita representation of Greek Americans in the country (25%). The United States is home to the largest number of Greeks outside of
Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...
, followed by
Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
and
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
.


History


Early history

The first Greek known to have been to what is now the United States was Don Doroteo Teodoro, a sailor who landed in Boca Ciega Bay at the Jungle Prada site in present-day St. Petersburg, FL with the Narváez expedition in 1528. He was instrumental in building the rafts that the expedition survivors built and sailed from present-day St. Mark's River in Florida until they were shipwrecked near Galveston Island, Texas. Teodoro had been captured by natives as they sailed along the Gulf coast shoreline toward the west, and was never seen again. He was presumably killed by the natives. In 1592, Greek captain Juan de Fuca (original name: Ioannis Fokas or Apostolos Valerianos) sailed up the Pacific coast under the Spanish flag, in search of the fabled
Northwest Passage The Northwest Passage (NWP) is the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The eastern route along the Arct ...
between the Pacific and the
Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans, with an area of about . It covers approximately 20% of Earth's surface and about 29% of its water surface area. It is known to separate the " Old World" of Africa, Europe an ...
. He reported discovering a body of water, a
strait A strait is an oceanic landform connecting two seas or two other large areas of water. The surface water generally flows at the same elevation on both sides and through the strait in either direction. Most commonly, it is a narrow ocean channe ...
which today bears his name: the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which today forms part of the
Canada–United States border The border between Canada and the United States is the longest international border in the world. The terrestrial boundary (including boundaries in the Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts) is long. The land border has two sections: Can ...
. Records show that a Greek, Michael Dry (Youris), became a
naturalized Naturalization (or naturalisation) is the legal act or process by which a non-citizen of a country may acquire citizenship or nationality of that country. It may be done automatically by a statute, i.e., without any effort on the part of the in ...
citizen by act of the General Assembly of Maryland in 1725. This makes Dry the first Greek positively known to reside permanently in what is today the United States. About 500 Greeks from
Smyrna Smyrna ( ; grc, Σμύρνη, Smýrnē, or , ) was a Greek city located at a strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. Due to its advantageous port conditions, its ease of defence, and its good inland connections, Smyrna rose to promi ...
,
Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and ...
, and
Mani Mani may refer to: Geography * Maní, Casanare, a town and municipality in Casanare Department, Colombia * Mani, Chad, a town and sub-prefecture in Chad * Mani, Evros, a village in northeastern Greece * Mani, Karnataka, a village in Dakshi ...
settled in
New Smyrna Beach, Florida New Smyrna Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States, located on the central east coast of the state, with the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Its population is 30,142 in 2020 by the United States Census Bureau. The downtown section of ...
in 1768. The colony was unsuccessful, and the settlers moved to
St. Augustine Augustine of Hippo ( , ; la, Aurelius Augustinus Hipponensis; 13 November 354 – 28 August 430), also known as Saint Augustine, was a theologian and philosopher of Berber origin and the bishop of Hippo Regius in Numidia, Roman North Afri ...
in 1776. In November 1777, a Greek chapel was established in St. Augustine, where Greeks could pray with their own rites. Almost 200 years later, the chapel was designated the St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine by the
Greek Orthodox Church The term Greek Orthodox Church (Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the entire body of Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Christianity, sometimes also call ...
, and it exists today as a remnant of their presence, having been built atop the site of the Avero House, itself believed to be the first site of Greek Orthodox worship in the US. The first noted Greek American scholar was
John Paradise John Paradise (1743–1795) was an Anglo-Greek linguist, known as a friend of Samuel Johnson and Fellow of the Royal Society. Life He was born at Thessalonica in April 1743, the son of Peter Paradise (died 1 February 1779), who was the English con ...
. He was pursuaded to immigrate to America by
Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...
and
Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 18 ...
, whom he met in Europe. Paradise married into the notable Ludwell family, one of the most prominent colonial families in
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
.
Evstratii Delarov Evstratii Ivanovich Delarov (also spelled Evstrat Delarov and Eustrate Delarof, c. 1740 – 1806, el, Ευστράτιος Ντελάρωφ) was a Greek mariner who served with several Russian maritime fur trade companies in Russian America. H ...
, a native of the
Peloponnese The Peloponnese (), Peloponnesus (; el, Πελοπόννησος, Pelopónnēsos,(), or Morea is a peninsula and geographic regions of Greece, geographic region in southern Greece. It is connected to the central part of the country by the Isthmu ...
, was the first documented Greek explorer and merchant to arrive in
Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...
. From 1783 to 1791, he was in charge of all Russian trading operations in the
Aleutian Islands The Aleutian Islands (; ; ale, Unangam Tanangin,”Land of the Aleuts", possibly from Chukchi language, Chukchi ''aliat'', "island"), also called the Aleut Islands or Aleutic Islands and known before 1867 as the Catherine Archipelago, are a cha ...
and in Alaska. He is today considered to have been the first ''
de facto ''De facto'' ( ; , "in fact") describes practices that exist in reality, whether or not they are officially recognized by laws or other formal norms. It is commonly used to refer to what happens in practice, in contrast with ''de jure'' ("by la ...
''
Governor of Alaska A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...
. Early records show Michel Dragon (Michalis Dracos) and
Andrea Dimitry Andrea Dimitry (January 1775 – March 1, 1852), also known as Andrea Drussakis Dimitry, was a Greek refugees, Greek refugee who migrated to New Orleans. He was a merchant and hero in the War of 1812. He married Marianne Celeste Dragon, Marianne C ...
(Andrea Drussakis Demetrios) settled in
New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster.
; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...
around 1799. Michel Dragon was a lieutenant in the
American Revolution The American Revolution was an ideological and political revolution that occurred in British America between 1765 and 1791. The Americans in the Thirteen Colonies formed independent states that defeated the British in the American Revolut ...
and
Andrea Dimitry Andrea Dimitry (January 1775 – March 1, 1852), also known as Andrea Drussakis Dimitry, was a Greek refugees, Greek refugee who migrated to New Orleans. He was a merchant and hero in the War of 1812. He married Marianne Celeste Dragon, Marianne C ...
participated in the
War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...
.
Andrea Andrea is a given name which is common worldwide for both males and females, cognate to Andreas, Andrej and Andrew. Origin of the name The name derives from the Greek word ἀνήρ (''anēr''), genitive ἀνδρός (''andrós''), that ref ...
married Michel Dragon's daughter,
Marianne Celeste Dragon Marie Celeste Dragon (1777–1856) was a wealthy creole slave owner, known for her portrait by José Francisco Xavier de Salazar y Mendoza. She was the wife of Andrea Dimitry. They were an interracial couple. Dragon passed neither as black or w ...
, and established a small community in New Orleans. The marriage between them in 1799 was the first known marriage between Greeks in America. His son was United States ambassador to Costa Rica & Nicaragua Alexander Dimitry. Another Greek refugee named George Marshall also came to the United States around this period. He was born in Rhodes in 1782. Marshall joined the United States Navy in 1809 and he wrote ''Marshall's Practical Marine Gunnery''. Marshall had a successful naval career and became master gunner. His son George J Marshall also served in the navy. His son-in-law was
George Sirian George Sirian (1818 – December 21, 1891) was a Greek war orphan brought into the United States aboard the ("Old Ironsides"). He served in the United States Navy with distinction for over fifty years, first as an ordinary seaman, and later as a ...
. Due to problems with the straight of Gibraltar, America was desperate for trade with Europe. Pirates ransomed Americans which led to two Barbary wars. America eventually formed the Mediterranean Squadron.


19th century

Many American ships traveled to the Ottoman Empire, namely Ayvalık. The
Greek War of Independence The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution or the Greek Revolution of 1821, was a successful war of independence by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire between 1821 and 1829. The Greeks were later assisted by ...
began in 1821 and lasted until 1830. Americans established missionaries in Greece. The missionaries included Jonas King. Prominent American abolitionists Samuel Gridley Howe and
Jonathan Peckham Miller Jonathan may refer to: *Jonathan (name), a masculine given name Media *Jonathan (1970 film), ''Jonathan'' (1970 film), a German film directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer *Jonathan (2016 film), ''Jonathan'' (2016 film), a German film directed by ...
participated in the Greek War.
Jonathan Peckham Miller Jonathan may refer to: *Jonathan (name), a masculine given name Media *Jonathan (1970 film), ''Jonathan'' (1970 film), a German film directed by Hans W. Geißendörfer *Jonathan (2016 film), ''Jonathan'' (2016 film), a German film directed by ...
adopted Greek orphan
Lucas M. Miller Lucas Miltiades Miller (some sources report his first name as Lucius) (September 15, 1824December 4, 1902) was a Greek American merchant, attorney and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Wisconsin. Biography Born in Livadia in ...
. Samuel Gridley Howe also collected a number of refugees and brought them back to Boston. Some of the refugees he brought included
John Celivergos Zachos John Celivergos Zachos ( el, Ιωάννης Καλίβεργος Ζάχος; December 20, 1820 – March 20, 1898) was a Greek-American physician, literary scholar, elocutionist, author, lecturer, inventor, and educational pioneer. He was an ea ...
and author
Christophorus Plato Castanis Christophorus Plato Castanis ( el, Χριστόφορος Πλάτων Καστανής; 1814–1866; also known as Christophoros Castanis or Castanes and Christoforos Kastanis or Kastanes) was an Ottoman Greek academic, author and classicist. C ...
. New England and Boston became home to countless Greek refugees during the 1820s. Some of them were: Author
Petros Mengous Petros, the original Greek and Coptic version of the name Peter, meaning "stone" or "rock", may refer to: People * Petros (given name) * Petros (surname) * Petros (footballer), Brazilian footballer Petros Matheus dos Santos Araújo (born 1989) P ...
,
Photius Fisk Photios I ( el, Φώτιος, ''Phōtios''; c. 810/820 – 6 February 893), also spelled PhotiusFr. Justin Taylor, essay "Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers" (published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materia ...
,
Gregory Anthony Perdicaris Gregory Anthony Perdicaris ( el, Γρηγόρης Αντώνης Περδικάρης; 1810 – April 18, 1883) was a Greek American statesman, lawyer, professor, author, and entrepreneur. Perdicaris raised awareness about Greece in the United S ...
,
Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles ( el, Ευαγγελινός Αποστολίδης Σοφοκλής; March8, 1807December17, 1883) was a professor of classics and Modern Greek at Harvard University, and lexicographer. He was born in Tsagkarad ...
,
George Colvocoresses George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a Greek-American United States Navy, Navy officer who commanded the during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring ...
,
Garafilia Mohalbi Garafilia Mohalbi(y) (; 1817 – March 17, 1830) was a Greek slave that was rescued by an American merchant and sent to live with his family in Boston, Massachusetts. Born to a prominent family on the island of Psara, her parents were killed in 18 ...
. There was a large Greek presence at
Mount Pleasant Classical Institute Mount Pleasant Classical Institute, was a boarding school for boys in Amherst, Massachusetts. It operated for five years from 1827 to 1832, and served ages 4–16. It was founded by Amherst College graduates Chauncey Colton D. D. and Francis Fel ...
and other local universities. There were hundreds of Greek orphans that arrived in New England. Some drastically contributed to the United States of America. The
Greek Slave Movement Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...
was initiated by Boston abolitionists. The Greek Slave Movement started in the 1820s during the influx of young refugees to New England. The movement contributed to countless paintings, sculptures, poems, essays, and songs. The death of Greek slave
Garafilia Mohalbi Garafilia Mohalbi(y) (; 1817 – March 17, 1830) was a Greek slave that was rescued by an American merchant and sent to live with his family in Boston, Massachusetts. Born to a prominent family on the island of Psara, her parents were killed in 18 ...
was a trigger for sympathy. She was featured in many poems and songs. The Greek Slave Movement was so popular in American media that sculptor
Hiram Powers Hiram Powers (July 29, 1805 – June 27, 1873) was an American neoclassical sculptor. He was one of the first 19th-century American artists to gain an international reputation, largely based on his famous marble sculpture ''The Greek Slave''. ...
created
The Greek Slave ''The Greek Slave'' is a marble sculpture by the American sculptor Hiram Powers. It was one of the best-known and critically acclaimed American artworks of the nineteenth century, and is among the most popular American sculptures ever. It was the ...
. The Greek Slave Movement was an abolitionist tool to abolish slavery in the United States. The theme eventually exploded some examples include:
The Slave Market (Gérôme painting) ''The Slave Market'' () is an 1866 painting by the French artist Jean-Léon Gérôme. It depicts an unspecific Middle Eastern or North African setting where a man inspects the teeth of a nude, female slave. The painting was bought by Adolphe Goup ...
,
The Slave Market (Boulanger painting) ''The Slave Market'' is a painting first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1886 by the French artist Gustave Boulanger, who specialized in classical and Orientalist genre scenes. Its title in the Salon catalogue was ''Un Maquignon d’esclaves à ...
, and the slave Market
Otto Pilny Otto Pilny (28 June 1866 – 22 July 1936) was a Swiss painter who specialized in Orientalist genre scenes. Life and career Born in Budweis in 1866, his family moved to Prague in 1873, and he presumably received his artistic education there; ...
. Some of the young Greek refugees became abolitionists.
John Celivergos Zachos John Celivergos Zachos ( el, Ιωάννης Καλίβεργος Ζάχος; December 20, 1820 – March 20, 1898) was a Greek-American physician, literary scholar, elocutionist, author, lecturer, inventor, and educational pioneer. He was an ea ...
became a prominent educator. He was also a woman's rights activist and abolitionist.
Photius Fisk Photios I ( el, Φώτιος, ''Phōtios''; c. 810/820 – 6 February 893), also spelled PhotiusFr. Justin Taylor, essay "Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers" (published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materia ...
was another abolitionist who fought for the anti-slavery cause.
Gregory Anthony Perdicaris Gregory Anthony Perdicaris ( el, Γρηγόρης Αντώνης Περδικάρης; 1810 – April 18, 1883) was a Greek American statesman, lawyer, professor, author, and entrepreneur. Perdicaris raised awareness about Greece in the United S ...
was a wealthy millionaire who created the framework for gas and electric companies.
George Colvocoresses George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a Greek-American United States Navy, Navy officer who commanded the during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring ...
was a Captain in the United States Navy.
Colvos Passage The Colvos Passage is a tidal strait within Puget Sound in the American state of Washington running west of Vashon Island between the island and the Kitsap Peninsula. It lies just north of the Dalco Passage. Colvos Passage has a permanent pre ...
is named after him.
George Sirian George Sirian (1818 – December 21, 1891) was a Greek war orphan brought into the United States aboard the ("Old Ironsides"). He served in the United States Navy with distinction for over fifty years, first as an ordinary seaman, and later as a ...
was another seaman in the United States Navy. The George Sirian Meritorious Service Award is named after him. Harvard created an entire department for
Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles Evangelinos Apostolides Sophocles ( el, Ευαγγελινός Αποστολίδης Σοφοκλής; March8, 1807December17, 1883) was a professor of classics and Modern Greek at Harvard University, and lexicographer. He was born in Tsagkarad ...
. Greek orphan Lucas Miltiades Miller became a U.S. Congressman. In the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
, Greek Americans fought for both sides,
Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...
and
Confederate Confederacy or confederate may refer to: States or communities * Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities * Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between ...
, with prominent Greeks such as
George Colvocoresses George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a Greek-American United States Navy, Navy officer who commanded the during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring ...
,
John Celivergos Zachos John Celivergos Zachos ( el, Ιωάννης Καλίβεργος Ζάχος; December 20, 1820 – March 20, 1898) was a Greek-American physician, literary scholar, elocutionist, author, lecturer, inventor, and educational pioneer. He was an ea ...
and
Photius Fisk Photios I ( el, Φώτιος, ''Phōtios''; c. 810/820 – 6 February 893), also spelled PhotiusFr. Justin Taylor, essay "Canon Law in the Age of the Fathers" (published in Jordan Hite, T.O.R., & Daniel J. Ward, O.S.B., "Readings, Cases, Materia ...
taking part in the war on the side of the
Union Union commonly refers to: * Trade union, an organization of workers * Union (set theory), in mathematics, a fundamental operation on sets Union may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * Union (band), an American rock group ** ''Un ...
. A Greek Company within the Confederate Louisiana Militia was formed for Greeks who fought for the
Confederate States of America The Confederate States of America (CSA), commonly referred to as the Confederate States or the Confederacy was an unrecognized breakaway republic in the Southern United States that existed from February 8, 1861, to May 9, 1865. The Confeder ...
. After the Civil War, the Greek community continued to flourish in
New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster.
; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...
,
Louisiana Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is borde ...
. By 1866, the community was numerous and prosperous enough to have a Greek
consulate A consulate is the office of a consul. A type of diplomatic mission, it is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in the capital of that foreign country (host state), usually an embassy (or, only between two Commonwealth coun ...
and the first official
Greek Orthodox Church The term Greek Orthodox Church (Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the entire body of Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Christianity, sometimes also call ...
in the United States. During that period, most Greek immigrants to the
New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...
came from
Asia Minor Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...
and those Aegean Islands still under Ottoman rule. By 1890, there were almost 15,000 Greeks living in the U.S. Immigration picked up again in the 1890s and early 20th century, due largely to economic opportunity in the U.S., displacement caused by the hardships of Ottoman rule, the
Balkan Wars The Balkan Wars refers to a series of two conflicts that took place in the Balkan States in 1912 and 1913. In the First Balkan War, the four Balkan States of Greece, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria declared war upon the Ottoman Empire and defe ...
, and
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
. Most of these immigrants had come from southern Greece, especially from the Peloponnesian provinces of Laconia and Arcadia. 450,000 Greeks arrived to the States between 1890 and 1917, most working in the cities of the
northeastern United States The Northeastern United States, also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast, is a geographic region of the United States. It is located on the Atlantic coast of North America, with Canada to its north, the Southe ...
; others labored on railroad construction and in mines of the
western United States The Western United States (also called the American West, the Far West, and the West) is the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. As American settlement in the U.S. expanded westward, the meaning of the term ''the Wes ...
; another 70,000 arrived between 1918 and 1924. Each wave of immigration contributed to the growth of Hellenism in the U.S. Greek immigration at this time was over 90% male, contrasted with most other European immigration to the U.S., such as Italian and Irish immigration, which averaged 50% to 60% male. Many Greek immigrants expected to work and return to their homeland after earning capital and dowries for their families. However, the loss of their homeland due to the
Greek genocide The Greek genocide (, ''Genoktonia ton Ellinon''), which included the Pontic genocide, was the systematic killing of the Christians, Christian Ottoman Greeks, Ottoman Greek population of Anatolia which was carried out mainly during World War I ...
and the 1923
population exchange between Greece and Turkey The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey ( el, Ἡ Ἀνταλλαγή, I Antallagí, ota, مبادله, Mübâdele, tr, Mübadele) stemmed from the "Convention Concerning the Exchange of Greek and Turkish Populations" signed at ...
, which displaced 1,500,000 Greeks from
Anatolia Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...
, Eastern Thrace, and Pontus caused the initial economic immigrants to reside permanently in America. The Greeks were
de jure In law and government, ''de jure'' ( ; , "by law") describes practices that are legally recognized, regardless of whether the practice exists in reality. In contrast, ("in fact") describes situations that exist in reality, even if not legally ...
denaturalized Denaturalization is the loss of citizenship against the will of the person concerned. Denaturalization is often applied to ethnic minorities and political dissidents. Denaturalization can be a penalty for actions considered criminal by the state ...
from their homelands and lost the right to return, and their families were made refugees. Additionally, the first widely implemented U.S. immigration limits against non Western European immigrants were made in 1924, creating an impetus for immigrants to apply for citizenship, bring their families and permanently settle in the U.S. Fewer than 30,000 Greek immigrants arrived in the U.S. between 1925 and 1945, most of whom were "
picture brides ''Picture Brides'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code adventure film, directed by Phil Rosen. The film stars Dorothy Mackaill, Regis Toomey and Alan Hale. Plot Four mail order brides from New Orleans and a young girl conned into a non-existing job in ...
" for single Greek men and family members coming over to join relatives.


20th century

In 1909, there was a pogrom against the Greek population in South
Omaha Omaha ( ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Nebraska and the county seat of Douglas County. Omaha is in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 39th-largest city ...
. The events of the early 1920s also provided the stimulus for the first permanent national Greek American religious and civic organizations. In 1922, as a response to the anti-Greek campaign and actions of
Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to the KKK or the Klan, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate group whose primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and ...
, the
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA, usually referred to as the Order of AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded to fight for civil rights and against discrim ...
was founded, which sought to organize and
Americanize Americanization or Americanisation (see spelling differences) is the influence of American culture and business on other countries outside the United States of America, including their media, cuisine, business practices, popular culture, tech ...
the Greek immigrant in America. Greeks again began to arrive in large numbers after 1945, fleeing the economic devastation caused by
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
and the
Greek Civil War The Greek Civil War ( el, ο Eμφύλιος όλεμος ''o Emfýlios'' 'Pólemos'' "the Civil War") took place from 1946 to 1949. It was mainly fought against the established Kingdom of Greece, which was supported by the United Kingdom ...
. From 1945 until 1982, approximately 211,000 Greeks immigrated to the United States. These later immigrants were less influenced by the powerful assimilation pressures of the 1920s and 1930s and revitalized Greek American identity, especially in areas such as Greek-language media. Greek immigrants founded more than 600
diner A diner is a small, inexpensive restaurant found across the United States, as well as in Canada and parts of Western Europe. Diners offer a wide range of foods, mostly American cuisine, a casual atmosphere, and, characteristically, a com ...
s in the New York metropolitan area in the 1950s through the 1970s. Immigration to the United States from Greece peaked between the 1950s and 1970. After the 1981 admission of Greece to the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of member states that are located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated total population of about 447million. The EU has often been des ...
, annual U.S. immigration numbers fell to less than 2,000. In recent years, Greek immigration to the United States has been minimal; in fact, net migration has been towards Greece. Over 72,000 U.S. citizens currently live in Greece (1999); most of them are Greek Americans. The predominant religion among Greeks and Greek Americans is
Greek Orthodox Christianity The term Greek Orthodox Church (Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία, ''Ellinorthódoxi Ekklisía'', ) has two meanings. The broader meaning designates "the entire body of Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Christianity, sometimes also call ...
. There are also a number of Americans who descend from
Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...
's smaller
Sephardic Sephardic (or Sephardi) Jews (, ; lad, Djudíos Sefardíes), also ''Sepharadim'' , Modern Hebrew: ''Sfaradim'', Tiberian Hebrew, Tiberian: Səp̄āraddîm, also , ''Ye'hude Sepharad'', lit. "The Jews of Spain", es, Judíos sefardíes (or ), ...
and Romaniote Jewish communities.


21st century

In the aftermath of the Greek financial crisis, there has been a resurgence of Greek immigration to New York City since 2010, accelerating in 2015, and centered upon the traditional Greek enclave of
Astoria, Queens Astoria is a neighborhood in the western portion of the New York City borough of Queens. Astoria is bounded by the East River and is adjacent to three other Queens neighborhoods: Long Island City to the southwest, Sunnyside to the southeast ...
. According to ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...
'', this new wave of Greek migration to New York is not being driven as much by opportunities in New York as it is by a lack of economic options in Greece itself.


Demographics


Population by state

Population by state according to the 2011-2015
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, citizenship, educati ...
. # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # – # –


Largest communities

Greek-American communities in the US according to the 5 Year Estimates of the (2020
American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is a demographics survey program conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census, such as ancestry, citizenship, educati ...
): United States by Ancestry: 1,249,194
United States by Country of Birth: 124,428 Top CSA's by Ancestry: #
New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA The New York metropolitan area, also commonly referred to as the Tri-State area, is the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban area, urban landmass, at , and one of the list of most populous metropolitan areas, most populous urban agg ...
: 187,255 #
Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH CSA Greater Boston is the metropolitan region of New England encompassing the municipality of Boston (the capital of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the most populous city in New England) and its surrounding areas. The region forms the northern ar ...
: 95,594 #
Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI CSA The Chicago metropolitan area, also colloquially referred to as Chicagoland, is a metropolitan area in the Midwestern United States. Encompassing 10,286 sq mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hint ...
: 89,468 # Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA CSA: 52,416 # Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA: 48,597 #
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA CSA The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Gover ...
: 40,277 #
Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan statistical area, metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the List of United States cities by population, sixth most populous city in the nation ...
: 36,432 # Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI CSA: 31,547 # Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA: 23,725 Top CSA's by Country of Birth: #
New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA CSA The New York metropolitan area, also commonly referred to as the Tri-State area, is the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban area, urban landmass, at , and one of the list of most populous metropolitan areas, most populous urban agg ...
: 37,225 #
Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI CSA The Chicago metropolitan area, also colloquially referred to as Chicagoland, is a metropolitan area in the Midwestern United States. Encompassing 10,286 sq mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hint ...
: 12,070 #
Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH CSA Greater Boston is the metropolitan region of New England encompassing the municipality of Boston (the capital of the U.S. state of Massachusetts and the most populous city in New England) and its surrounding areas. The region forms the northern ar ...
: 10,843 # Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA CSA: 5,484 # Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA CSA: 5,016 #
Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD CSA The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan statistical area, metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the List of United States cities by population, sixth most populous city in the nation ...
: 5,014 #
San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA CSA The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Gover ...
: 3,424 # Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA: 2,711 # Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI CSA: 2,337 Top MSA's by Ancestry: #
New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
: 159,180 #
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI The Chicago metropolitan area, also colloquially referred to as Chicagoland, is a metropolitan area in the Midwestern United States. Encompassing 10,286 sq mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hi ...
: 87,864 # Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH: 65,041 #
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Greater Los Angeles is the second-largest metropolitan region in the United States with a population of 18.5 million in 2021, encompassing five counties in Southern California extending from Ventura County in the west to San Bernardino Coun ...
: 39,163 #
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the nation and 68th largest city in the world as of 2020. The toponym Delaware Val ...
: 30,728 # Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA: 28,450 # Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI: 26,290 #
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL The Tampa Bay area is a major populated area surrounding Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida in the United States. It includes the main cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. It is the 18th largest metropolitan area in the United St ...
: 24,522 # San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA: 23,266 # Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL CSA: 20,545 Top MSA's by Country of Birth: #
New York-Newark-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA New is an adjective referring to something recently made, discovered, or created. New or NEW may refer to: Music * New, singer of K-pop group The Boyz Albums and EPs * ''New'' (album), by Paul McCartney, 2013 * ''New'' (EP), by Regurgitator, ...
: 32,801 #
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI The Chicago metropolitan area, also colloquially referred to as Chicagoland, is a metropolitan area in the Midwestern United States. Encompassing 10,286 sq mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hi ...
: 12,031 # Boston-Worcester-Manchester, MA-RI-NH: 7,807 #
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Greater Los Angeles is the second-largest metropolitan region in the United States with a population of 18.5 million in 2021, encompassing five counties in Southern California extending from Ventura County in the west to San Bernardino Coun ...
: 4,512 #
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD The Delaware Valley is a metropolitan region on the East Coast of the United States that comprises and surrounds Philadelphia, the sixth most populous city in the nation and 68th largest city in the world as of 2020. The toponym Delaware Val ...
: 4,347 #
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL The Tampa Bay area is a major populated area surrounding Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida in the United States. It includes the main cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater. It is the 18th largest metropolitan area in the United St ...
: 3,969 # Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, DC-MD-VA-WV-PA: 3,101 # Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, FL: 2,602 # Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk-Danbury, CT: 2,302 # San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA: 2,091 # Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor, MI: 2,076 Top States by Ancestry: #
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
: 143,481 #
California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
: 129,127 #
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
: 91,086 #
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
: 89,658 #
Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
: 76,317 #
New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
: 59,665 #
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
: 59,477 #
Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...
: 53,057 #
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
: 48,697 #
Michigan Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
: 44,042 Top States by Country of Birth: #
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
: 29,017 #
Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
: 12,031 #
California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
: 10,742 #
Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett language, Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut assachusett writing systems, məhswatʃəwiːsət'' English: , ), officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous U.S. state, state in the New England ...
: 9,705 #
Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
: 9,565 #
New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
: 8,872 #
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...
: 5,865 #
Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
: 4,074 #
Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
: 3,965 #
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
: 3,312


Communities by percentage of people of Greek ancestry

The US communities with the highest percentage of people claiming Greek ancestry are: # Tarpon Springs, Florida 25.00% # Campbell, Ohio 9.30% #
Lincolnwood, Illinois Lincolnwood (formerly Tessville) is a village in Niles Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 13,463. An inner suburb of Chicago, it shares its southern, eastern, and a small section of its west ...
7.60% #
Plandome Manor, New York Plandome Manor is a Village (New York), village in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, on the North Shore (Long Island), North Shore of Long Island, in New York (state), New York, United States. The majority of the village is considered part o ...
7.50% # Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 7.20% #
Allenwood, New Jersey Allenwood is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Wall Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.
6.60% #
South Barrington, Illinois South Barrington is a residential suburb in Cook County, Illinois, United States, south of Barrington. Per the 2020 census, the population was 5,077. South Barrington is a wealthy suburb of Chicago. It is the location of the famous megachurch Wi ...
6.00% # Palos Hills, Illinois 5.40% # Nahant, Massachusetts 5.30% #
Alpine, New Jersey Alpine is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, approximately north of Midtown Manhattan. It is the easternmost community in New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States census, the borough's population was 1,849,
;
Holiday, Florida Holiday is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pasco County, Florida, Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 22,403 as of the 2010 censu ...
; and
Munsey Park, New York Munsey Park is a village in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Manhasset area, which is anchored by Manhasset. The population was 2,809 at the 2020 census. The Inc ...
5.20% #
East Marion, New York East Marion is a census-designated place (CDP) that roughly corresponds to the hamlet by the same name in the town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The CDP population was 926 at the 2010 census. History Beginnings The ...
5.00% # Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan and Grosse Pointe Township, Michigan; Palos Park, Illinois; and
Upper Brookville, New York Upper Brookville is a village located within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 1,698 at the 2010 census. History The village is named for the brook which ...
4.90% #
Harbor Isle, New York Harbor Isle is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 1,301 at the 2010 census. History In the 1950s, a proposal was made for Harbor Isle to be annexed b ...
4.70% #
Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana Lake Dalecarlia is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,355 at the 2010 census. The name comes from the English name of the Dalarna region of Sweden. The community is centered on the lake of ...
4.50% #
Barnum Island, New York Barnum Island is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 2,590 at the 2020 census. It occupies the eastern portion of an island situated between Long Island and Long Beach. That isl ...
4.40% #
Peabody, Massachusetts Peabody () is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 54,481 at the time of the 2020 United States Census. Peabody is located in the North Shore region of Massachusetts, and is known for its rich industrial histo ...
4.30% #
Livingston Manor, New York Livingston Manor is a Hamlet (New York), hamlet (and a census-designated place) in Sullivan County, New York, Sullivan County, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 1,221 at the 2010 census. Livingston Manor is located in t ...
and
University Gardens, New York University Gardens (also known as Lakeville) is a hamlet and a census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is located within the Town of North Hempstead and is part of the Gr ...
4.20% #
Oak Brook, Illinois Oak Brook is a village mostly in DuPage County with a small portion in Cook County in Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 8,163. This suburb of Chicago has the headquarters of several companies and organizations including Ace H ...
4.00% # Dracut, Massachusetts 3.90% #
Harwood Heights, Illinois Harwood Heights is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,065 at the 2020 census. Harwood Heights and its neighbor Norridge form an enclave surrounded by the city of Chicago. Geography Harwood Heights is located at ...
and
Oyster Bay Cove, New York Oyster Bay Cove is a Administrative divisions of New York#Village, village located within the Oyster Bay (town), New York, Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, on Long Island, Long island, in New York (state), New York. The ...
3.80% # Fort Lee, New Jersey;
Hiller, Pennsylvania Hiller is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,155, down from 1,234 at the 2000 census. It is located in Luzerne Township. Geogra ...
;
Ipswich, Massachusetts Ipswich is a coastal town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 13,785 at the 2020 census. Home to Willowdale State Forest and Sandy Point State Reservation, Ipswich includes the southern part of Plum Island. A reside ...
; Long Grove, Illinois;
Oakhurst, New Jersey Oakhurst is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) within Ocean Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.
; and
Yorkville, Ohio Yorkville is a village in Belmont and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 968 at the 2020 census. Yorkville lies within two Metropolitan Statistical Areas; the Belmont County portion is part of the Wheeling metropoli ...
3.70% #
Broomall, Pennsylvania Broomall is a census-designated place (CDP) in Marple Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,789 at the 2010 census. History This crossroads community was renamed for the post office established to hon ...
;
Garden City South, New York Garden City South is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 4,119 at the 2020 census. History Garden City South's name reflects upon ...
; Norwood Park, Chicago, Illinois (
neighborhood A neighbourhood (British English, Irish English, Australian English and Canadian English) or neighborhood (American English; see spelling differences) is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town, suburb or rural area, ...
); and
Plandome, New York Plandome is a village in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Manhasset area, which is anchored by Manhasset. The population was 1,349 at ...
3.60% # Flower Hill, New York; Manhasset, New York;
Monte Sereno, California Monte Sereno (Spanish for "Serene Mountain") is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population was 3,479 at the 2020 census. The city is located in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about southwest of San Jose, ...
;
Norridge, Illinois Norridge is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,251 at the 2020 census. The village and its neighbor to the east, Harwood Heights, together form an enclave within the city of Chicago (i.e. they are surrounded ...
; Palisades Park, New Jersey; Palos Township, IL; and Windham, New York 3.50% #
Morton Grove, Illinois Morton Grove is a village in Cook County, Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 25,297. The village is named after former United States Vice President Levi Parsons Morton, who helped finance the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railr ...
; Terryville, New York; and
Wellington, Utah Wellington is a city in Carbon County, Utah, United States. The population was 1,676 at the 2010 census. The community was settled in 1878 by a band of thirteen Mormons led by Jefferson Tidwell. The town was named for Justus Wellington Seeley, ...
3.40% # Banks Township, PA ( Carbon County, PA); Harmony, Pennsylvania (
Beaver County, PA Beaver County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 168,215. Its county seat is Beaver. The county was created on March 12, 1800, from parts of Allegheny and Washington counties. It took it ...
);
Plandome Heights, New York Plandome Heights is a village in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Manhasset area, which is anchored by Manhasset. The population was 1,005 at the 2010 census. The ...
; and
Watertown, Massachusetts Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and is part of Greater Boston. The population was 35,329 in the 2020 census. Its neighborhoods include Bemis, Coolidge Square, East Watertown, Watertown Square, and the West End. Watertown ...
3.30% #
Niles, Illinois Niles is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, located in the townships of Maine and Niles, directly neighboring the City of Chicago's far northwest border. Per the 2020 census, the population was 30,912. The current mayor of Niles ...
and
Niles Township, Illinois Niles Township is one of 29 townships in Cook County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2010 census, its population was 105,882. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, Niles Township covers an area of . Cities, towns, villages * Glen ...
3.20% #
Groveland, Massachusetts Groveland is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. It is thirty-four miles north of Boston. At the 2020 census, it had a population of 6,752. The town is divided into two precincts, Groveland and South Groveland. History Grovelan ...
3.10% # Albertson, New York; Caroline, New York;
Graeagle, California Graeagle is a town and census-designated place in eastern Plumas County, California, United States, located along the Middle Fork Feather River in the Northern Sierra Nevada. The population was 737 as of 2010. History The town was founded in 191 ...
;
Lynnfield, Massachusetts Lynnfield is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. At the 2020 census, the town population was 13,000. Lynnfield initially consisted of two distinct villages with a single governing body. Lynnfield Center comprises mostly ...
; Marple Township, Pennsylvania; and Stanhope, New Jersey 3.00% # Foster Township, Pennsylvania;
Manhasset Hills, New York Manhasset Hills is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 3,592 at the 2010 census. Neighboring communities include Herricks, ...
; West Falmouth, Massachusetts;
Winfield, Indiana Winfield is a town in Winfield Township, Lake County, Indiana. The population was 2,298 at the time of the 2000 census, 4,383 in 2010, and 5,987 in 2019. The town was incorporated in 1993 in order to keep the residents from being annexed by other n ...
; and Worth Township, Indiana (
Boone County, IN Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 70,812. The county seat (and the county's only incorporated city) is Lebanon. History In 1787, the fledgling United States defined the Northwest Territory, ...
) 2.90%


Communities by percentage of those born in Greece

The U.S. communities with the largest percentage of residents born in Greece are:
#
Horse Heaven, Washington Horse Heaven was an unincorporated community in Benton County, Washington, United States, located approximately 13 miles southeast of Prosser in Carter Canyon. The original community site has been abandoned, and most of it no longer remains. His ...
3.8% # Tarpon Springs, Florida 3.2% # Palos Hills, Illinois 3.1% #
Harbor Isle, New York Harbor Isle is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 1,301 at the 2010 census. History In the 1950s, a proposal was made for Harbor Isle to be annexed b ...
3.1% # Campbell, Ohio 3.1% #
Lincolnwood, Illinois Lincolnwood (formerly Tessville) is a village in Niles Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 13,463. An inner suburb of Chicago, it shares its southern, eastern, and a small section of its west ...
2.7% # Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 2.5% #
Bedford Park, Illinois Bedford Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, and is an industrial suburb of Chicago. The population was 602 at the 2020 census. Bedford Park consists of a small residential area and vast amounts of heavy industry sprawling t ...
2.3% #
Twin Lakes, Florida Twin Lakes was a census-designated place (CDP) in Broward County, Florida, United States, which was divided into Twin Lakes North and Twin Lakes South. The population was 1,875 at the 2000 census. On November 2, 2004, residents of the Twin Lakes N ...
2.3% #
Holiday, Florida Holiday is a census-designated place (CDP) in Pasco County, Florida, Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 22,403 as of the 2010 censu ...
2.1% #
Great Neck Gardens, New York Great Neck Gardens (also known as Allenwood) is a Hamlet (New York), hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located on the Great Neck Peninsula, New York, Great Neck Peninsula in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, on the North Shore (Long Is ...
2.1% #
Norridge, Illinois Norridge is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,251 at the 2020 census. The village and its neighbor to the east, Harwood Heights, together form an enclave within the city of Chicago (i.e. they are surrounded ...
2.0% # Palos Park, Illinois 1.9% #
Barnum Island, New York Barnum Island is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 2,590 at the 2020 census. It occupies the eastern portion of an island situated between Long Island and Long Beach. That isl ...
1.9% #
Munsey Park, New York Munsey Park is a village in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Manhasset area, which is anchored by Manhasset. The population was 2,809 at the 2020 census. The Inc ...
1.8% #
Foxfield, Colorado The Town of Foxfield is a statutory town located in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 754 at the 2020 United States Census. Foxfield is a part of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area a ...
1.7% #
Cedar Glen West, New Jersey Cedar Glen West is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Manchester Township, in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Raynham Center, Massachusetts Raynham Center is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Raynham in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 4,100 at the 2010 census. Geography Raynham Center is located at (41.931854, -71.043151). According t ...
1.6% #
Broomall, Pennsylvania Broomall is a census-designated place (CDP) in Marple Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 10,789 at the 2010 census. History This crossroads community was renamed for the post office established to hon ...
1.6% # Flower Hill, New York 1.6% #
Alpine, New Jersey Alpine is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, approximately north of Midtown Manhattan. It is the easternmost community in New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States census, the borough's population was 1,849,
1.6% #
Millbourne, Pennsylvania Millbourne is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population is 1,212. Millbourne borders Philadelphia along Cobbs Creek. The borough was the former site of the Sellers Family's Millbourne Mill ...
1.6% #
Niles, Illinois Niles is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, located in the townships of Maine and Niles, directly neighboring the City of Chicago's far northwest border. Per the 2020 census, the population was 30,912. The current mayor of Niles ...
1.6% # Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan 1.6% #
East Marion, New York East Marion is a census-designated place (CDP) that roughly corresponds to the hamlet by the same name in the town of Southold in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The CDP population was 926 at the 2010 census. History Beginnings The ...
1.6% # West Falmouth, Massachusetts 1.6% # Golden Triangle, New Jersey 1.5% # Palisades Park, New Jersey 1.5% #
Garden City South, New York Garden City South is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 4,119 at the 2020 census. History Garden City South's name reflects upon ...
1.5% #
Harwood Heights, Illinois Harwood Heights is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,065 at the 2020 census. Harwood Heights and its neighbor Norridge form an enclave surrounded by the city of Chicago. Geography Harwood Heights is located at ...
1.5% #
Watertown, Massachusetts Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, and is part of Greater Boston. The population was 35,329 in the 2020 census. Its neighborhoods include Bemis, Coolidge Square, East Watertown, Watertown Square, and the West End. Watertown ...
1.5% #
Morton Grove, Illinois Morton Grove is a village in Cook County, Illinois. Per the 2020 census, the population was 25,297. The village is named after former United States Vice President Levi Parsons Morton, who helped finance the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railr ...
1.5% #
East Ithaca, New York East Ithaca is a suburban community (and census-designated place) in Tompkins County, New York, United States. The population was 2,231 at the 2010 census. East Ithaca is a suburb of the City of Ithaca on its eastern city line and in the Town of ...
1.4% # Fort Lee, New Jersey 1.4% #
Saddle Rock, New York Saddle Rock is a village on the Great Neck Peninsula in the Town of North Hempstead, in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 830 at the 2010 census. History The first settlers arri ...
1.4% #
Oakhurst, New Jersey Oakhurst is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) within Ocean Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.
1.4% #
Plandome Manor, New York Plandome Manor is a Village (New York), village in Nassau County, New York, Nassau County, on the North Shore (Long Island), North Shore of Long Island, in New York (state), New York, United States. The majority of the village is considered part o ...
1.3% # White Lake, North Carolina 1.3% # Old Brookville, New York 1.2% #
Plandome Heights, New York Plandome Heights is a village in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered part of the Greater Manhasset area, which is anchored by Manhasset. The population was 1,005 at the 2010 census. The ...
1.2% #
South Barrington, Illinois South Barrington is a residential suburb in Cook County, Illinois, United States, south of Barrington. Per the 2020 census, the population was 5,077. South Barrington is a wealthy suburb of Chicago. It is the location of the famous megachurch Wi ...
1.2% #
North Lakeville, Massachusetts North Lakeville is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Lakeville in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,630 at the 2010 census. It is roughly bounded by the Middleboro-Lakeville town line to the east, A ...
1.2% # Terryville, New York 1.2% #
Jefferson, West Virginia Jefferson is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States, along the Kanawha River. The population was 676 at the 2010 census. Jefferson was incorporated on March 22, 1997, but was disincorporated less than a ...
1.2% #
Ridgefield, New Jersey } Ridgefield is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 11,032,East Norwich, New York East Norwich is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) located within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, on the North Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 2,709 at the 2010 census. History East Norwic ...
1.2% #
Skokie, Illinois Skokie (; formerly Niles Center) is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States, neighboring the City of Chicago's northern border. Its population, according to the 2020 census, was 67,824. Skokie lies approximately north of Chicago's do ...
1.1% #
Arlington Heights, Pennsylvania Arlington Heights is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,331 at the 2020 census. One notable location in Arlington Heights is the Stroud Mall. Arlington Heights is northeast of Alle ...
1.1% # Pomona, New York 1.1% #
Spring House, Pennsylvania Spring House is a census-designated place (CDP) in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,804 at the 2010 census. Geography Spring House is located at (40.183091, -75.231204). According to the United States Cens ...
1.1% #
Hickory Hills, Illinois Hickory Hills is a city in Cook County, Illinois. Located principally in Palos Township, it is a suburb of Chicago. The population in 2020 was 14,505. History The Hickory Hills Country Club was founded in 1917 in the area of the present-day cit ...
1.1% # Cliffside Park, New Jersey 1.1% # Friendship Village, Maryland 1.1% # Kingsville, Maryland 1.1% # Arlington, Massachusetts 1.1% #
Mount Prospect, Illinois Mount Prospect is a village in Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships in Cook County, Illinois, about northwest of downtown Chicago, and approximately 4 miles north of O'Hare International Airport. As of the 2020 census, the village had a total popu ...
1.1% # Midland Park, New Jersey 1.0% #
Lake Dalecarlia, Indiana Lake Dalecarlia is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,355 at the 2010 census. The name comes from the English name of the Dalarna region of Sweden. The community is centered on the lake of ...
1.0% # Pinedale, Wyoming 1.0% # Glenview, Illinois 1.0% #
Dunn Loring, Virginia Dunn Loring is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population was 8,803 at the 2010 census. The area borders Merrifield, Vienna, and Tysons.Dunn Loring is in the Metropolitan Area and is a suburban area ...
1.0% #
West Kennebunk, Maine West Kennebunk is a census-designated place (CDP) in the town of Kennebunk in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,176 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland– South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan S ...
1.0% # Shokan, New York 1.0% # Beacon Square, Florida 1.0% #
Peabody, Massachusetts Peabody () is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 54,481 at the time of the 2020 United States Census. Peabody is located in the North Shore region of Massachusetts, and is known for its rich industrial histo ...
1.0% #
Dedham, Massachusetts Dedham ( ) is a town in and the county seat of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 25,364 at the 2020 census. It is located on Boston's southwest border. On the northwest it is bordered by Needham, on the southwest b ...
1.0% #
North Key Largo, Florida North Key Largo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,244 at the 2010 census. It includes two private clubs, the Ocean Reef Club and the Key Largo Anglers Club and is reached from the mai ...
1.0% #
Hillside, New York Hillside is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 877 at the 2010 census. It is located just south of the city of Kingston, in the Town of Ulster. Geography Hillside is located at (41.918 ...
1.0% # Orland Park, Illinois 1.0% #
Eddystone, Pennsylvania Eddystone is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The population was 2,410 at the 2010 census. History The area at the mouth of Ridley Creek was first called "Tequirassy" by Native Americans. The land was owned by Olof Persson Stille, o ...
1.0% #
South Hempstead, New York South Hempstead is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York, United States. The population was 3,243 at the 2010 census. History South Hempstead's name reflects its geogra ...
1.0% #
Redington Beach, Florida Redington Beach is a town in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,427 at the 2010 census. Geography Redington Beach is located at (27.811669, –82.811546). According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a ...
1.0% #
Hillsmere Shores, Maryland Hillsmere Shores was a census-designated place (CDP) in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Annapolis. The population was 2,977 at the 2000 census. It was included in the Annapolis Neck CDP at the 2010 census. Built in ...
1.0%


Greek-born population

Greek-born population in the US since 2010 (ACS 1 Tear Estimates):


Print media

The '' Atlantis'' (1894–1973) was the first successful
Greek-language Greek ( el, label=Modern Greek, Ελληνικά, Elliniká, ; grc, Ἑλληνική, Hellēnikḗ) is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages, native to Greece, Cyprus, southern Italy (Calabria and Salento), southern Al ...
daily newspaper published in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
.Judith Felste
"Atlantis, National Daily Newspaper 1894-1973"
''Atlantis, National Daily Newspaper 1894-1973'', The Research Library of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, December 1982
The newspaper was founded in 1894 by Solon J. and Demetrius J. Vlasto, descendants of the Greek noble family, Vlasto.Magny, Claude Drigon. ''Livre D'or De La Noblesse Européenne'', Ed. 2. Paris: Aubry, 1856, pg. 441. The paper was headed by a member of the Vlasto family until it closed in 1973. Published in
New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
, it had a national circulation and influence. ''Atlantis'' supported the
royalist A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of governme ...
faction in Greek politics until the mid-1960s. ''Atlantis'' editorial themes included naturalization, war relief, Greek-American business interests, and Greek religious unity. , ''Ethnikos Kyrix'' ( el, Εθνικός Κήρυξ, 1915–) is the only Greek-language daily publication based in the United States. Headquartered in New York City, its articles focus on the Greek diaspora in the United States as well as current events in Greece and Cyprus. In contrast to its competitor ''Atlantis'', ''Ethnikos Kyrix'' historically supported liberal causes in Greece and America, including the progressive forces of
Eleftherios Venizelos Eleftherios Kyriakou Venizelos ( el, Ελευθέριος Κυριάκου Βενιζέλος, translit=Elefthérios Kyriákou Venizélos, ; – 18 March 1936) was a Greek statesman and a prominent leader of the Greek national liberation movem ...
in Greece and the
New Deal The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1939. Major federal programs agencies included the Civilian Cons ...
stateside.Northrup, Mary
"The Greek press in America"
Cobblestone, Dec 1996, Vol. 17 Issue 9, p. 17.
A companion weekly edition ''The National Herald'' (1997–) is in circulation and features similar content presented in English. The
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Archbishop On May 11, 2019, the church's Hol ...
publishes the monthly ''Orthodox Observer'' (1934–) in both Greek and English for news and information regarding the Greek Orthodox Church as a whole, as well as its American parishes.


In popular culture

* Greek American novelist Jeffrey Eugenides won the 2003
Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize () is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made h ...
for his novel ''
Middlesex Middlesex (; abbreviation: Middx) is a Historic counties of England, historic county in South East England, southeast England. Its area is almost entirely within the wider urbanised area of London and mostly within the Ceremonial counties of ...
'', about a Greek American family in
Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
. * In 1967,
Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
-winning film-director
Elia Kazan Elia Kazan (; born Elias Kazantzoglou ( el, Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου); September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was an American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by ''The New York Times'' as "one o ...
published a
novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...
, The Arrangement: A Novel, about a conflicted Greek American living a double life as an advertising executive and muckraking journalist. Kazan, who died in September 2003, was a Greek American. * The popular 1970s show '' Kojak'', featured Telly Savalas as Greek American police detective Theo Kojak, and his brother
George George may refer to: People * George (given name) * George (surname) * George (singer), American-Canadian singer George Nozuka, known by the mononym George * George Washington, First President of the United States * George W. Bush, 43rd Presiden ...
as detective Stavros. Kojak was originally supposed to be
Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles, people from Poland or of Polish descent * Polish chicken *Polish brothers (Mark Polish and Michael Polish, born 1970), American twin screenwr ...
(hence the name), but this was changed to match Savalas' profile. * The 2002
comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...
film ''
My Big Fat Greek Wedding ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Joel Zwick and written by Nia Vardalos, who also stars in the film as Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos, a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with White Anglo-Saxo ...
'' portrayed the love story of a Greek American woman (portrayed by Greek Canadian
Nia Vardalos Antonia Eugenia Vardalos (born September 24, 1962) is a Canadian actress, director, producer and screenwriter. She is best known for starring in and writing the romantic comedy film ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding'' (2002), which garnered her nominati ...
) and a non-Greek American man (specifically a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant). It also examines the protagonist's troubled love/hate relationship with her cultural heritage and value system. The movie spawned an unsuccessful
TV series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed betw ...
, '' My Big Fat Greek Life''. The sequel, ''
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 ''My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2'' is a 2016 American romantic comedy film directed by Kirk Jones and written by Nia Vardalos. The film stars Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Michael Constantine (in his final film role), Andrea Martin, Ian Gomez ...
'', was released in March 2016. * ''
The Famous Teddy Z ''The Famous Teddy Z'' is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS during the fall of 1989. The series was created by Hugh Wilson and inspired by the true story of Jay Kantor, who was a mailroom clerk at MCA and later became Marlon Brando's ...
'' was an acclaimed but short-lived TV series about a fictional talent agent named Teddy Zakalakis, portrayed by Jon Cryer. * The TV series '' Full House'' was about a family that included Greek American Uncle Jesse Katsopolis, portrayed by Greek American actor
John Stamos John Phillip Stamos ( ; born August 19, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He first gained recognition for his contract role as Blackie Parrish on the ABC television soap opera ''General Hospital'', for which he was nominated for the Da ...
. Jesse's surname was changed from Cochran to Katsopolis after the first season because Stamos wanted to portray his Greek American heritage. Jesse's Greek dad was also a recurring character. Stamos reprises the role of Jesse in the 2016 sequel sitcom, '' Fuller House''. * The
Olympia Cafe The name Olympia may refer to: Arts and entertainment Film * ''Olympia'' (1938 film), by Leni Riefenstahl, documenting the Berlin-hosted Olympic Games * ''Olympia'' (1998 film), about a Mexican soap opera star who pursues a career as an athlet ...
was a recurring sketch in the early years of ''
Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock. Michaels currently serves a ...
''. More recently,
Tina Fey Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (; born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright. She is best known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' (1997–2006) and for creating the ...
has often joked about her Greek heritage on the show. *
Tom's Restaurant Tom's Restaurant is a diner located at 2880 Broadway (Manhattan), Broadway (on the corner of West 112th Street) in the Morningside Heights, Manhattan, Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. It is on the ground floor of ...
, a Greek American owned business, has become one of the symbols of urban New York life. *
Elektra Natchios Elektra Natchios (, ) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Frank Miller, the character first appeared in '' Daredevil'' #168 (Jan. 1981). She is a love interest of the superhero Matt Mur ...
is a
Marvel Comics Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
, portrayed by Jennifer Garner in the 2003 movie ''
Daredevil Daredevil may refer to: * A stunt performer Arts and media Comics * Daredevil (Lev Gleason Publications), a fictional 1940s superhero popularized by writer-artist Charles Biro * Daredevil (Marvel Comics character), a Marvel comic book superher ...
'' and the 2005 movie '' Elektra''.
Élodie Yung Élodie Yung (; born 22 February 1981) is a French actress. She is best known for her role as Elektra Natchios in the 2016 second season of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Netflix series '' Daredevil'' and the 2017 Netflix miniseries '' The De ...
portrays the character in the second season of the Netflix series ''
Marvel's Daredevil ''Marvel's Daredevil'' is an American television series created by Drew Goddard for the streaming service Netflix, based on the Marvel Comics character Daredevil. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), acknowledging the continuity of ...
'', which debuted in 2016. * Several entertainers and other performing artists including
Johnny Otis Johnny Otis (born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes; December 28, 1921 – January 17, 2012) was an American singer, musician, composer, bandleader, record producer, and talent scout. He was a seminal influence on American R&B and rock and roll. He ...
,
Tina Fey Elizabeth Stamatina "Tina" Fey (; born May 18, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright. She is best known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' (1997–2006) and for creating the ...
,
Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24, 1982) is an American singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of ''American Idol'' in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debu ...
, Alexander Frey,
John Aniston John Anthony Aniston (born Yannis Anastassakis, , July 24, 1933 – November 11, 2022) was a Greek-born American actor who played Victor Kiriakis on the NBC daytime drama series ''Days of Our Lives'', which he originated in July 1985 and played ...
,
Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Joanna Aniston (born February 11, 1969) is an American actress and film producer. She is the recipient of various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Since her career ...
, Melina Kanakaredes,
Zach Galifianakis Zachary Knight Galifianakis (born October 1, 1969) is an American actor and comedian. He appeared in ''Comedy Central Presents'' special and presented his show ''Late World with Zach'' on VH1. Galifianakis has starred in films including ''Th ...
,
Tommy Lee Thomas Lee Bass (born October 3, 1962) is an American musician and founding member of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap metal band Methods of Mayhem and has pursued solo musical ...
, Demetri Martin,
Paul Cavonis Paul Cavonis (born December 4, 1937) is an American actor who has appeared in over 30 movies and television series. Cavonis is known for playing mafia and Greek characters. Early life Cavonis was born in the Hells Kitchen section of Manhattan in ...
,
Criss Angel Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos ( el, Χριστόφορος Νικόλαος Σαραντάκος; born December 19, 1967), known professionally as Criss Angel, is an American magician, illusionist and musician. Angel began his career in New ...
, Elias Koteas, Amy Sedaris,
Andy Milonakis Andrew Michael Milonakis (; born January 30, 1976) is an American actor, comedian, rapper, and streamer. He is best known for his work on ''The Andy Milonakis Show'', a sketch comedy series that aired on MTV and MTV2 from 2005 to 2007. Other no ...
,
Art Alexakis Arthur Paul "Art" Alexakis (born April 12, 1962) is an American musician best known as the singer-songwriter and guitarist of the rock band Everclear. He has been a member of several notable bands, in addition to his own work as a songwriter f ...
and
Billy Zane William George Zane Jr. (born February 24, 1966) is an American actor. His breakthrough role was in the 1989 Australian film ''Dead Calm'', a performance that earned him a nomination for the Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promi ...
are of Greek descent. * Writer, performer and radio-commentator David Sedaris satirizes growing up in a Greek American household in
suburb A suburb (more broadly suburban area) is an area within a metropolitan area, which may include commercial and mixed-use, that is primarily a residential area. A suburb can exist either as part of a larger city/urban area or as a separate ...
an
North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
in several of his essays. * Athletes such as
Pete Sampras Petros "Pete" Sampras ( el, Πέτρος Σάμπρας; born August 12, 1971) is an American former world No. 1 tennis player. His professional career began in 1988 and ended at the 2002 US Open, which he won, defeating longtime rival Andre ...
,
Harry Agganis Aristotle George "Harry" Agganis (April 20, 1929 – June 27, 1955), nicknamed "The Golden Greek", was an American college football player and professional baseball player. After passing up a potential professional football career, he played in M ...
,
Chris Chelios Christos Kostas Chelios (born January 25, 1962) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was one of the longest tenured players in the National Hockey League, and is a three-time Stanley Cup champion—one with the Montreal Can ...
,
Dean Karnazes Dean Karnazes ( ; born ''Constantinos Karnazes''; August 23, 1962), is an American ultramarathon runner, and author of ''Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner'', which details ultra endurance running for the general public. Earl ...
,
Alex Karras Alexander George Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012) was an American football player, professional wrestler, sportscaster, and actor. He was a four-time Pro Bowl player with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), ...
, Alexi Lalas,
Dave Batista David Michael Bautista Jr. (born January 18, 1969) is an American actor and retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He had several stints in WWE between 2002 and 2019. In his acting career, he is most widely known for his port ...
, Greg Louganis,
Nick Markakis Nicholas William Markakis ( ) (born November 17, 1983) is a Greek-American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 15 seasons for the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves. Markakis was the Orioles ...
,
Kurt Rambis Darrell Kurt Rambis (born February 25, 1958) is a Greek-American former professional basketball player and coach who is a senior basketball adviser for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As a player, he won fou ...
, Tom Pappas and Jim Londos are of Greek descent. * New Greek Television Inc., NGTV on Time Warner Cable a rebranding of the 25 year old Greek Television Channel of New York


Greek nationality

Any person who is ethnically Greek born outside of Greece may become a Greek citizen through
naturalization Naturalization (or naturalisation) is the legal act or process by which a non-citizen of a country may acquire citizenship or nationality of that country. It may be done automatically by a statute, i.e., without any effort on the part of the in ...
by proving that a parent or grandparent was born as a national of Greece. The Greek ancestor's
birth certificate A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a person. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the ensuin ...
and marriage certificate are required, along with the applicant's birth certificate and the birth certificates of all generations in between until the relation between the applicant and the person with Greek citizenship is proven.


Organizations

There are hundreds of regional, religious and professional Greek American organizations. Some of the largest and most notable include: * The
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA, usually referred to as the Order of AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded to fight for civil rights and against discrim ...
(AHEPA) is the largest community organization of Greek Americans. It was founded in
Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
in 1922 to counter the anti-Greek attacks by the
Ku Klux Klan The Ku Klux Klan (), commonly shortened to the KKK or the Klan, is an American white supremacist, right-wing terrorist, and hate group whose primary targets are African Americans, Jews, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and ...
during that time period. Its current membership exceeds 28,000. 385 active chapters are located in the United States with additional chapters in Canada, and Europe. AHEPA maintains a full-time staff at the AHEPA Global Headquarters located in Washington, DC www.ahepa.org * The
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Archbishop On May 11, 2019, the church's Hol ...
is the religious organization most closely associated with the Greek American community. It was established in 1921, and is under the leadership of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople ( el, Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, translit=Oikoumenikón Patriarkhíon Konstantinoupóleos, ; la, Patriarchatus Oecumenicus Constanti ...
. The church operates the
Greek Orthodox Youth of America The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. Archbishop On May 11, 2019, the church's Holy ...
, the largest Orthodox Christian youth group in the United States. * The American Hellenic Institute, an
advocacy group Advocacy groups, also known as interest groups, special interest groups, lobbying groups or pressure groups use various forms of advocacy in order to influence public opinion and ultimately policy. They play an important role in the developm ...
for Greek Americans, and its lobbying arm, the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee. *
The Next Generation Initiative ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
, a foundation that works with prominent Greek American leaders and executives to offer educational opportunities such as internships and master classes through a network of more than 5,500 Greek American students and 2,500 professors on 200+ college campuses. * The Council of Hellenes Abroad is a Greek government sponsored umbrella organization for Greek immigrant organizations worldwide. * Th
Hellenic Society Paideia
has been promoting Hellenism and Orthodoxy since 1977 by placing Greek and Byzantium classes in high schools and universities, offering study abroad programs to Greece year round, and with various building projects throughout the country. Anywhere from 200 to 500 students travel to Greece with Paideia per year. Information specifically for the study abroad programs can be found a
www.hellenicstudiespaideia.org
Currently "Paideia" is constructing a Classical Greek Amphitheater at the University of Connecticut and a Center for Hellenic Studies at the University of Rhode Island. * The National Hellenic Student Association (NHSA) is the independent network of the Hellenic Student Associations (HSAs) across the United States. By linking all the Greek, Greek-American and Cypriot students of the American educational institutions, the organization can promote ideas and projects and enrich the Hellenic spirit on campuses nationwide. * Many ''topika somatéa'' (local councils) or clubs representing the local regional homeland of Greeks in America. Among the scores of such clubs, larger "umbrella" organizations include the Pan Macedonian Association (one example is the Drosopigi Society, in Rochester, New York, hailing from the village of Drosopigi in Northern Greece outside of the city of Florina) the Panepirotic Federation, the Pan Cretan Association, the
Pan-Icarian Brotherhood Pan-Icarian Brotherhood is a fraternal society organized on January 26, 1903 by eleven Ikarian men in Verona, Pennsylvania. The ''Icarian Brotherhood of America'' (also known as ''Ikaros'') was finalized on July 17, 1905 with the establishment o ...
, the Pan Pontian Federation of U.S.A-Canada, the Chios Societies of America & Canada, the Cyprus Federation of America, the Pan-Laconian Federation of the USA & Canada, the Pan-Messinian Federation of the USA & Canada, the Pan-Arcadian Federation of America and several associations of refugees from areas in the former Ottoman territories. * The
National Hellenic Museum The National Hellenic Museum is the second oldest American institution dedicated to displaying and celebrating the cultural contributions of Greeks and Greek-Americans. Formerly known as the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, the National Helle ...
in Greektown, Chicago


Notable people


See also

* Greeks in Omaha, Nebraska *
Greeks The Greeks or Hellenes (; el, Έλληνες, ''Éllines'' ) are an ethnic group and nation indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea regions, namely Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and, to a lesser extent, oth ...
* Greek diaspora * Diaspora politics in the United States * Grecian Echoes * Greek Cypriots *
Greek Festival A Greek festival or Greek Fest is an annual celebration of Greek culture presented by many ethnic Greek American communities and organization in the United States and Canada, particularly Greek Orthodox churches. Typically, these events are intende ...
*
Greektown Greektown is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Greeks or people of Greek ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood. History The oldest Greek dominated neighborhood outside of Greece were probably the Fener in Istanbu ...
*
Hyphenated American In the United States, the term hyphenated American refers to the use of a hyphen (in some styles of writing) between the name of an ethnicity and the word "American" in compound nouns, e.g., as in "Irish-American". Calling a person a "hyphenated ...
*
Greek Canadians Greek Canadians ( el, Ελληνοκαναδοί) are Canadian citizens who have full or partial Greek heritage or people who emigrated from Greece and reside in Canada. According to the 2021 Census, there were 262,140 Canadians who claimed Gre ...
*
Greek British Greeks in the United Kingdom are British residents and citizens of full or partial Greek heritage, or Greeks who emigrated to and reside in the United Kingdom. History Early Greek contact Mycenaean Greeks The Mycenaean civilization was a ...
*
Greek Australians Greek Australians ( el, Ελληνοαυστραλοί, ) are Australians of Greek ancestry. Greek Australians are one of the largest groups within the global Greek diaspora. As per the 2021 census, 424,750 people stated that they had Greek an ...
* Greek New Zealanders *
Greek-American cuisine Greek-American cuisine is the cuisine of Greek Americans and their descendants, who have modified Greek cuisine under the influence of American culture and immigration patterns of Greeks to the United States. As immigrants from various Greek a ...
* Anti-Hellenism * Hellenophilia *
List of Greek Americans The following is a list of notable Greek Americans, including both original immigrants of full or partial Greek descent who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants. Architecture *George J. Efstathiou – architect *Cos ...
*
Greece–United States relations Due to the strong historical, political, cultural and religious ties between them, Greece and the United States today enjoy excellent diplomatic relations and consider each other an ally. Today Greece is one of the United States's closest allies. ...


References


Further reading

* Callinicos, Constance. ''American Aphrodite: Becoming Female in Greek America'' (Pella, 1990). * Georgakas, Dan. ''My Detroit: Growing Up Greek and American in Motor City'' (Pella, 2006)." * Georgiou, Leonidas V.,
Conversations with F.D.R. at his AHEPA Initiation: Frigates, Battleships, Espionage and a Sentimental Bond with Greece,"
(Knollwood Press, 2019). Available through Abebooks.com. * Jurgens, Jane. "Greek Americans." ''Gale Encyclopedia of Multicultural America,'' edited by Thomas Riggs, (3rd ed., vol. 2, Gale, 2014), pp. 237–253
Online
* Jusdanis, Gregory. "Greek Americans and the diaspora." ''Diaspora: a journal of transnational studies'' 1#2 (1991): 209–223
Excerpt
* Kunkelman, Gary. ''The Religion of Ethnicity: Belief and Belonging in a Greek-American Community'' (Garland, 1990). * Moskos, Peter C. ''Greek Americans: struggle and success'' (Routledge, 2017). * Orfanos, Spyros D. ''Reading Greek America: Studies in the Experience of Greeks in the United States'' (Pella, 2002). * Rouvelas, Marilyn. ''A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America'' (Attica, 1993). * Scourby, Alice. "Three generations of Greek Americans: A study in ethnicity." ''International Migration Review'' 14.1 (1980): 43–52
Online
* Schultz, Sandra L. "Adjusting Marriage Tradition: Greeks to Greek-Americans." ''Journal of Comparative Family Studies'' 12.2 (1981): 205–218.


External links

;Embassy and Consulates
Embassy
;Charitable organizations *The Hellenic Initiative
AHEPA home page
-
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA, usually referred to as the Order of AHEPA) is a fraternal organization founded on July 26, 1922, in Atlanta, Georgia. AHEPA was founded to fight for civil rights and against discrim ...

The Hellenic Society "Paideia"Greek America FoundationNational Hellenic SocietyOnassis Foundation (USA)Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund
; Libraries and museums
National Hellenic Museum Tsakopoulos Hellenic Collection at California State University, Sacramento
*The Museum of Greek Culture a
The New England Carousel Museum
constructed b
The Hellenic Society Paideia
housing a Macedonia exhibit. ;Trade organizations
Hellenic-American Chamber of CommerceGreek-American Chamber of Commerce
;Affiliate trade organizations
Hellenic Canadian Board of TradeHellenic Canadian Lawyers AssociationHellenic-Argentine Chamber of Industry and Commerce (C.I.C.H.A.)
;Websites
Famous Greek-Americans
- A comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Americans. {{Greek diaspora Greek American, European-American society *