Albanian-Americans, numbering around 216,431, form the largest ethnic group from the Western Balkans in the United States. Despite their relatively small percentage within the overall U.S. population, Albanian-Americans are highly concentrated in specific regions, with the Northeast holding the majority of the community.
The three states with the highest percentage of Albanian-Americans are Connecticut (0.35%), New York (0.30%), and Massachusetts (0.29%). These areas are also home to the largest total number of Albanians. New York leads with an estimated 57,836 Albanian-Americans, followed by Michigan with 24,891, and Massachusetts with 19,953. Connecticut, though smaller in total numbers, has the highest concentration with 0.35% of the state’s population being of Albanian descent.
California, despite having a low percentage of Albanian residents (0.01%), ranks seventh in total population, with over 47,000 Albanians living there. States like Florida, Illinois, and New Jersey also boast significant Albanian-American communities, contributing to the widespread geographic presence of Albanians across the U.S.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Virginia have the lowest concentrations, each with fewer than 100 Albanian residents. These states, however, do not reflect the broader Albanian-American experience, which is much more prominent in regions like New York, Michigan, and Massachusetts.
While Albanians have spread across all 50 states, they remain most densely located in urban centers, particularly in the Northeast. This clustering has allowed the community to maintain a strong cultural identity, with vibrant Albanian-American neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations supporting the preservation of their heritage.
The numbers reflect not just where Albanians have settled, but how they have grown into a community that thrives in certain areas while maintaining a presence in nearly every state in the country. Whether you’re in New York or California, chances are, you’ll find members of this tight-knit and rapidly growing community.
