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Welcome to the most Italian place in the United States. It's in New Jersey.
28 Dec 2015 by Robert Oppedisano


Fairfield, New Jersey is the most Italian place in the United States according to the United States Census Bureau, whose latest numbers came out earlier this month. Just more than half of residents —50.3 percent — of its 7,475 residents claim Italian ancestry. Less than a percentage point behind, at 49.5 percent, in second place nationally, is Johnston, Rhode Island. Third place was taken by North Branford in Connecticut at 43.9 percent followed by East Haven at 43.6 percent.

       The recent statistics also reveal a sizeable increase in the number of Italian Americans since the last national census in 2010. The number of people who identified themselves as Italian American in 2010 was 16 million, however, this latest census found that 18 million said they were Italian American. Despite being in the U.S. for more than 120 years, the latest statistics also revealed that Italian Americans were the only European group whose population increased. So why the increase? Maybe it’s because the younger generation are starting to identify with their Italian roots in order to maintain their cultural identity.

Italian-Americans in the United States, based on the percent of population who reported Italian ancestry:

1. Fairfield, N.J., 50.3 percent

2. Johnston, R.I., 49.5 percent

3. North Branford , Conn., 43.9 percent

4. East Haven, Conn., 43.6 percent

5. Hammonton, N.J., 43.2 percent

6. Ocean Gate, N.J., 42.6 percent

7. East Hanover, N.J., 41.3 percent

8. North Haven, Conn., 41.2 percent

9. Cedar Grove, N.J., 40.8 percent

10. Wood-Ridge, N.J., 40.6 percent

11. North Providence, R.I., 38.9 percent

12. Dunmore, Pa., 38.9 percent

13. Newfield, N.J., 38.8 percent

14. Saugus, Mass., 38.5 percent

15. Jenkins, Pa., 38.4 percent

16. West Pittston, Pa., 37.9 percent

17. Old Forge, Pa., 37.8 percent

18. Lowellville, Ohio, 37.5 percent

19. Hughestown, Pa., 37.5 percent

20. Prospect, Conn., 37.5 percent

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau