Russian Americans

Russian Americans are people in the United States who have full or partial Russian ancestry. This group includes recent Russian immigrants, as well as the descendants of Russian settlers from the 1800s in places that are now Alaska. Russian Americans are one of the largest groups from Eastern Europe and East Slavic backgrounds in the country.

In the mid-1800s, many Russians came to the U.S. to escape religious persecution. Later, between 1880 and 1917, many more Russians moved to the U.S. looking for better jobs. They settled in cities along the coast, such as Brooklyn in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland, as well as in Chicago and Cleveland.

After the Russian Revolution and civil war in the early 1920s, many people who opposed the new government also moved to the U.S., especially to cities like New York and Philadelphia. During the time of the Soviet Union, moving to the U.S. was very hard, but after the Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, more people from Russia and nearby areas were able to come to America. Today, many people with roots in Russia, as well as from places like Belarus and Armenia, often see themselves as part of the Russian American community.

Demographics

In 2011, it was estimated that about 3.13 million people in the United States had Russian ancestry. By 2020, over 900,000 people aged 5 and older spoke Russian at home.

Many Russian Americans were born in the United States and grew up speaking English, though some still speak Russian at home. The largest number of Russian immigrants settled in the New York City area, especially in places like Brighton Beach. As Russian Americans have become more successful, many have moved to wealthier neighborhoods in the New York region, such as Bergen County in New Jersey.

Russian-born population

Russian-born population in the US since 2010:

Social status

In 2017, the average income for households with Russian American members was about $80,554.

History

Colonial era

Russian America (1733–1867)

Main article: Russian colonization of North America

The area that is now the U.S. state of Alaska was first settled by Russians and controlled by the Russian Empire. These settlers included Slavic Russians, as well as Russified Ukrainians, Romanians, and various Indigenous Siberians, such as Yupik, Mongolic peoples, Chukchi, Koryaks, Itelmens, and Ainu. The Russian-American Company built forts in Kauai and Hawaii. One important fort was Fort Ross, established in 1812 by Ivan Kuskov near San Francisco. This fort was created to support Russian America and included several outposts.

Russian America was not very profitable due to high costs and a decrease in animal populations. When the United States bought it in 1867, many Russian settlers returned to Russia, though some moved to southern Alaska and California. These settlers included early participants in the California gold rush. Descendants of these settlers have fully integrated into American society. Today, many people in Alaska named Nikolaevsk are descendants of Russian settlers who arrived around the Soviet era.

Immigration to the US

First wave (1870–1915)

A large number of people from Europe moved to the United States in the late 1800s. While some Russians had immigrated earlier, such as Ivan Turchaninov, who became a United States Army brigadier general during the Civil War, millions more came in the last part of the 19th century for political or economic reasons. Between 1820 and 1870, only 7,550 Russians moved to the United States. But from 1881 onward, over 10,000 Russians immigrated each year. Numbers increased to 593,700 in the 1890s, 1.6 million from 1901 to 1910, 868,000 from 1911 to 1914, and 43,000 from 1915 to 1917.

Many Russian groups immigrated to escape religious persecution. These included Russian Jews who left due to pogroms and moved to New York City and other coastal cities. Others, like the Spiritual Christians, settled in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. Groups such as Shtundists moved to Virginia and the Dakotas, while German-speaking groups like Russian Mennonites and Hutterites settled in Kansas, the Dakota Territory, and Montana. The Old Believers also arrived during this time and settled in places like California, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and New York. Famous immigrants from this period include American songwriter Irving Berlin and winemaker André Tchelistcheff.

World War I caused hardship in Russia, leading to increased starvation and poverty. This also led to rising anti-Semitic feelings, with Jews being accused of disloyalty. Many Jewish people were displaced from their homes. Because of these difficulties, immigration slowed between 1914 and 1917. However, after the war, many Jews and others left Europe and Russia for new opportunities in the United States and other countries.

Second wave (1916–1922)

Main article: White émigré

A significant number of Russians immigrated between 1917 and 1922, following the October Revolution and the Russian Civil War. These immigrants are known as the White émigrés. The United States was one of the main destinations, along with France and Serbia. This group included people from higher classes of the old Russian Empire and contributed greatly to American science, culture, and the military. Famous individuals included inventors like Vladimir Zworykin, often called the "father of television," and Igor Sikorsky, who invented the practical Helicopter. Cultural figures such as composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky, novelist Vladimir Nabokov, violinist Jasha Heifetz, and actor Yul Brynner also came during this time.

Soviet era (1922–1991)

Main article: Eastern Bloc emigration and defection

During the Soviet era, leaving Russia was very difficult. Only a few defectors and dissidents managed to move to the United States and other Western countries for political reasons. U.S. laws also limited immigration from Russia. After World War II, many Europeans moved to the United States, but Russia sent back many of its citizens who tried to leave. Some famous people who left included Vladimir Horowitz in 1925 and Ayn Rand in 1926.

In the 1970s, the Soviet Union allowed some Jewish people to leave, and many moved to the United States. Relations between the USSR and the U.S. improved later, allowing more people to emigrate. Famous athletes and artists also moved to the U.S. during this time.

Post-Soviet era (1991–present)

After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, many people left Russia due to economic difficulties. The United States became a popular destination. Many scientists and engineers moved to work in the growing U.S. technology industry. Famous Russian athletes and entertainers also found success in the United States.

Many Russian immigrants became permanent residents through family ties, job opportunities, or the Diversity Lottery. The United States continues to welcome people from Russia, though policies have changed over time.

Notable communities

See also: Russian Americans in New York City

Communities with high percentages of people of Russian ancestry
Some places in the United States have many people whose families come from Russia. The top places include:

1. Fox River, Alaska 80.9%
2. Aleneva, Alaska 72.5%
3. Nikolaevsk, Alaska 67.5%
4. Pikesville, Maryland 19.30%
5. Roslyn Estates, New York 18.60%
6. Hewlett Harbor, New York 18.40%
7. East Hills, New York 18.00%
8. Wishek, North Dakota 17.40%
9. Eureka, South Dakota 17.30%
10. Beachwood, Ohio 16.80%
11. Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania 16.70%
12. Kensington, New York and Mayfield, Pennsylvania both at 16.20%
13. Napoleon, North Dakota 15.80%

US communities with the most residents born in Russia
Other places have many people who were born in Russia, such as:

1. Millville, Delaware 8.5%
2. South Windham, Maine 7.8%
3. South Gull Lake, Michigan 7.6%
4. Loveland Park, Ohio 6.8%
5. Terramuggus, Connecticut 4.7%
6. Harwich Port, Massachusetts 4.6%
7. Brush Prairie, Washington 4.5%
8. Feasterville, Pennsylvania 4.4%
9. Colville, Washington 4.4%
10. Mayfield, Ohio 4.0%
11. Serenada, Texas 4.0%
12. Orchards, Washington 3.6%
13. Leavenworth, Washington 3.4%

Russian Americans also live in many other cities, including Brighton Beach, Bergen County, New Jersey, Queens, Staten Island, Anchorage, Alaska, Baltimore, Boston, The Bronx, other parts of Brooklyn, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Fresno, Kerman, California, Palm Beach, Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Oregon, Sacramento, San Francisco, Raleigh and Research Triangle Region North Carolina, and Seattle.

Notable people

Main article: List of Russian Americans

Many well-known people in the United States have Russian heritage. These individuals have made important contributions in many areas, such as arts, sciences, sports, and more. Their stories show the rich and varied history of Russian Americans.