Swiss Americans

Swiss Americans
Schweizamerikaner
Total population

(917,071 (2013)[1]

0.3% of the U.S. population)
Regions with significant populations
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana
Languages
American English, German (especially Swiss German)
Religion
mostly Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Swiss people, Swiss diaspora; European Americans

Swiss Americans are Americans of Swiss descent.

Swiss emigration to America predates the formation of the United States, notably in connection with the persecution of Anabaptism during the Swiss Reformation and the formation of the Amish community. In the 19th century, there was substantial emigration of Swiss farmers, who preferred rural settlemets in the Midwest. Swiss immigration diminished after 1930, although limited immigration is ongoing. The total number of Americans of Swiss descent is estimated at close to one million. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as of 2015 reported 80,218 Swiss nationals with permanent residence in the United States.[2]

History

Swiss emigrants to the USA totaled 104,000 according to the 1890 census.

The first Swiss person in what is now the territory of the United States was Theobald (Diebold) von Erlach (1541–1565).[3] The history of the Amish church began with a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Anabaptists in 1693 led by Jakob Ammann, a native of Erlenbach im Simmental.

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a flow of Swiss farmers formed colonies, particularly in Russia and the United States.

Before the year 1820 some estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Swiss entered British North America. Most of them settled in regions of today's Pennsylvania as well as North and South Carolina. In the next years until 1860 about as many Swiss arrived, making their homes mainly in the Midwestern states such as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Approximately 50,000 came between 1860 and 1880, some 82,000 between 1881 and 1890, and estimated 90,000 more during the next three decades.

In spite of Swiss settlements like Highland (Illinois), New Glarus (Wisconsin), New Bern (North Carolina), Gruetli (Tennessee) and Bernstadt (Kentucky) were emerging fast, most Swiss preferred rural villages of the Midwest and the Pacific Coast where especially the Italian Swiss were taking part in California's winegrowing culture, or then took up residence in more industrial and urban regions such as New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis, Denver, or San Francisco. As the lifestyle and political institutions of the United States were compliant with those of their homeland most Swiss had no problems starting a new life in their part of the New World and became attached to both countries.[4]

Along with the Swiss Immigrants came their traditions. By the late 1800s sufficient numbers of Swiss had arrived that Swiss Vereins (Clubs) were established to provide camaraderie and sharing of customs and traditions of the Heimat (Homeland). The William Tell Verein of Oakland and the Helvetia Verein of Sacramento, founded in the 1890s, were examples of clubs formed during this period. Much later, the West Coast Swiss Wrestling Association was established to preserve the Swiss tradition of Schwingen (Swiss wrestling) on the Pacific coast of the United States.

Of Swiss immigrant involvement in the Civil War, David Vogelsanger writes, "More Swiss participated in the American Civil War than in any other foreign conflict except the Battle of Marignano in 1515 and Napoleon's Russian Campaign of 1812."[5]

Swiss immigration diminished after 1930 because of the Great Depression and World War II. 23,700 Swiss arrived until 1960, 29,100 more between 1961 and 1990. Many of them being professionals or employees in American branches of Swiss companies, returned after some time to Switzerland.[6]

Population

Distribution of Swiss Americans according to the 2000 Census

Swiss Americans by numbers

According to the 2000 United States Census,[7] the 15 cities with the largest populations of Swiss Americans are as follows:

  1. New York, New York - 8,108
  2. Los Angeles, California - 6,169
  3. San Diego, California - 4,349
  4. Portland, Oregon - 4,102
  5. Madison, Wisconsin - 3,898
  6. Phoenix, Arizona - 3,460
  7. Seattle, Washington - 3,446
  8. San Francisco, California - 3,381
  9. Chicago, Illinois - 3,008
  10. San Jose, California - 2,661
  11. Columbus, Ohio - 2,640
  12. Monroe, Wisconsin - 2,582
  13. Houston, Texas - 2,226
  14. Dallas, Texas-1,865
  15. Salt Lake City, Utah - 2,105
  16. Indianapolis, Indiana - 1,939

According to the 2007 American Community Survey,[8] the states with the largest populations of Swiss Americans are as follows:

  1. California - 117,700
  2. Ohio - 86,147[9]
  3. Pennsylvania - 73,912
  4. Wisconsin - 61,134
  5. Illinois - 42,194
  6. Indiana - 41,540
  7. New York - 40,113
  8. Florida - 39,001
  9. Texas - 37,258
  10. Washington - 36,697
  11. Oregon - 33,234
  12. Utah - 30,606
  13. Missouri - 25,809
  14. Michigan - 25,533
  15. Arizona - 24,485

Swiss Americans by percentage of total population

According to the 2000 United States Census[7] the highest percentage of Swiss Americans in any town, village or other, are the following:

  1. Berne, Indiana - 29.10%
  2. Monticello, Wisconsin - 28.82%
  3. New Glarus, Wisconsin - 28.26%
  4. Monroe, Wisconsin - 18.91%
  5. Pandora, Ohio - 18.90%
  6. Argyle, Wisconsin - 17.84%
  7. Sugarcreek, Ohio - 17.29%
  8. Elgin, Iowa - 15.79%
  9. Monroe, Indiana - 14.35%
  10. Baltic, Ohio - 12.91%
  11. Brickerville, Pennsylvania - 11.52%
  12. Albany, Wisconsin - 11.51%
  13. Belleville, Wisconsin - 11.25%
  14. Blanchardville, Wisconsin - 11.21%
  15. Shipshewana, Indiana - 10.89%

only cities, towns and villages with at least 500 people included

According to the 2000 United States Census[7] the states with the highest percentage of people of Swiss ancestry are the following:

  1. Utah - 1.28%
  2. Wisconsin - 0.91%
  3. Idaho - 0.87%
  4. Oregon - 0.76%
  5. Indiana - 0.64%

Communities settled by Swiss immigrants

Swiss American historical societies

See also

References

  1. Results – Community Survey 2013   American Fact Finder (US Census Bureau).
  2. EDA, Auslandschweizerdienst: Auslandschweizerstatistik 2015 nach Wohnländern
  3. "Swiss Americans - History, Modern era, Swiss in british north america". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  4. "History of Swiss Settlers"
  5. Vogelsanger, David. "Foreword: A Forgotten Chapter of Our Military History." Swiss American Historical Society Review 51, no. 2 (2015): 5-8. The whole issue is dedicated to the Swiss in the Civil War.
  6. "immigration since 1930"
  7. 1 2 3 Laura Yax, WSCS, ASD. "Census 2000 Gateway". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  8. "2007 American Community Survey by State"
  9. Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "American FactFinder - Results". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  10. Bouquet and Pennsylvania "Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission"
  11. http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=12388 "John A. Sutter Jr. Founder and Planner of City of Sacramento ... Was born in Switzerland, October 25, 1826. He was the son of John A. Sutter..."
  12. http://www.beech-islandhistory.org/history.htm
  13. "Swiss Historical Society". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  14. "Highland Historical Society". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  15. "OGSGS Main". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  16. http://www.santaclarautahhistoricalsociety.com
  17. "Swiss American Historical Society". Swiss American Historical Society. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  18. "Willkommen". Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  19. http://www.swissmennonite.org

External links

Articles about the Swiss in the United States

Research links

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