Irish-American Heritage Month And St. Patrick’s Day

Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish…

The U.S. Congress proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month in 1991, and the president issues a proclamation commemorating the occasion each year.

Originally a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish. The world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade occurred on March 17, 1762, in New York City, featuring Irish soldiers serving in the English military. This parade became an annual event, with President Truman attending in 1948.

The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.

Did You Know?

• 32.3 million or 10%     —     The number and percentage of U.S. residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2016. Source: 2016 American Community Survey

• 125,840     —     The number of foreign-born U.S. residents who reported Ireland as their birthplace in 2016. Source: 2016 American Community Survey

• 49.5%     —     The percentage of the population of Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, Mass., who claimed Irish ancestry in 2016. Source: 2012-2016 American Community Survey

• 20,590     —     The estimated number of U.S. residents who spoke Irish Gaelic. Source: 2009-2013 American Community Survey

MORE STATS

SEX AND AGE

• Total population     —     2,304,175    
• Male     —     47.9%
  
• Female     —     52.1%

MARITAL STATUS

• Population 15 years and over     —     26,861,615    
• Now married, except separated     —     48.9%
• Widowed     —     5.9%
  
• Divorced     —     12.6%
  
• Separated     —     1.6%
  
• Never married     —     31.1%   

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

• Population 25 years and over     —     22,767,371     
• Less than high school diploma     —     5.7%
  
• High school graduate (includes equivalency)     —     24.3%
• Some college or associate’s degree     —     32.5%
• Bachelor’s degree     —     23.3%
• Graduate or professional degree     —     14.1%

VETERAN STATUS

• Civilian population 18 years and over     —     25,534,943   
• Civilian veteran     —     9.0%

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Population 16 years and over     —     26,469,293   
• In labor force     —     64.8%
  
• Civilian labor force     —     64.4%
  
• Employed     —     61.1%
  
• Unemployed     —     3.3%
• Unemployment Rate     —     5.1%
• Armed Forces     —     0.5%
• Not in labor force     —     35.2%

OCCUPATION        

• Civilian employed population 16 years and over     —     16,170,827     
• Management, business, science, and arts occupations     —     43.7%
• Service occupations     —     15.3%
• Sales and office occupations     —     24.3%
• Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations     —     7.5%
  
• Production, transportation, and material moving occupations     —     9.2%

HOUSING TENURE      

• Occupied housing units     —     13,657,358    
• Owner-occupied housing units     —     68.8%
  
• Renter-occupied housing units     —     31.2%
  
• Average household size of owner-occupied unit     —     2.59%
  
• Average household size of renter-occupied unit     —     2.23%
  

INCOME

Median earnings (dollars) full-time, year-round workers:                    

• Male     —     59,594
• Female     —     46,272

MORE STATS: See a detailed profile on the Irish population from the 2016 American Community Survey.