German American Demographics in the U.S.A.
German American statistics encompass data on demographics, immigration patterns, language use, cultural practices, and regional concentrations of German Americans within the United States.
The map above shows the prevalence of Americans with German Ancestry in each state of the United States and in the District of Columbia. Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 2019. This file will be updated upon the publishing of newer data.
Census figures from 2022 show that German-Americans are, on average, slightly older and more educated than the general population.
More than 85 percent of respondents live in the same location where they lived in 2009, and 40 percent are employed in management, business, science or the arts.
5 States with the most Americans with German Ancestry
- Pennsylvania
- 2,791,485
- Ohio
- 2,603,454
- California
- 2,505,840
- Texas
- 2,277,045
- Wisconsin
- 2,143,909
12 Statistic Facts about German Americans
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German American Demographics: This term refers to the statistical characteristics of individuals in the U.S. who identify as German Americans, including their age, gender, geographic distribution, and socioeconomic status. Understanding these demographics helps paint a clearer picture of how this group fits into the larger American society.
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German Ancestry: German ancestry encompasses individuals or families who trace their roots back to Germany. It includes discussions around genealogy, family histories, and the migration stories of Germans to the United States, highlighting the connections between past and present generations.
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Immigration Statistics: Immigration statistics refer to data regarding the number of German immigrants who arrived in the U.S. over different periods, the reasons for their migration, and their settlement patterns. These statistics provide context for understanding the historical waves of German immigration and their impact on American society.
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Language and Dialects: While German language usage has declined over the past century, some communities, particularly among Amish and Mennonite populations, continue to use German dialects. German was once one of the most spoken languages in the U.S. and remains popular in foreign language education.
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Cultural Contributions: German Americans have introduced widely recognized customs, including Oktoberfest celebrations, Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree, and culinary staples like sausages, pretzels, and beer.
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Religious Influence: German immigrants introduced and established many Protestant denominations in America, especially Lutheran and Reformed churches, along with some Catholic communities, influencing religious practices and institutions in the U.S.
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U.S. Census Data: U.S. Census data provides valuable statistics about the German American population, including details on their distribution, growth rates, and changes in identity over time. Analyzing this data helps researchers understand demographic shifts and social trends.
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German American Newspapers: During the 19th and early 20th centuries, there were hundreds of German-language newspapers across the U.S., serving as key information sources and community hubs for German-speaking Americans.
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German American Identity: German American identity refers to how individuals of German descent perceive themselves and their heritage within the broader American context. This can include language retention, cultural practices, and the balance between German heritage and American cultural influences.
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Genealogical Records: Due to strong record-keeping traditions, German American genealogy is well-supported by church records, passenger lists, and detailed family registries, which are valuable for family history research today.
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Immigration History: Immigration history focuses on the broader narrative of how Germans migrated to the United States, including specific events, policies, and historical contexts that shaped their movement.
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Ancestry Research: Ancestry research involves the exploration of family lineage and heritage, focusing on the German American experience. This includes using genealogical resources, historical documents, and DNA testing to trace familial connections.
These facts outline the complex and influential role German Americans have played in U.S. history, contributing significantly to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the nation.
Americans with German Descent
Today, more than 40 million Americans claim German ancestry, making up approximately 12.30% of the country's 328.2 million inhabitants.
States with the highest proportions of German-Americans tend to be those of the upper Midwest, including Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and the Dakotas; all at over 30%.
Of the four major US regions, German was the most-reported ancestry in the Midwest, second in the West and third in both the Northeast and the South.
German was the top reported ancestry in 23 states, and it was one of the top five reported ancestries in every state except Maine and Rhode Island.
A majority of counties in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas are predominantly German, and they make up a plurality of Ohio and Indiana counties.
What are the largest ancestry groups in the U.S.?
[The Top 5]
Updated June 28, 2020 | Infoplease
| Rank | Ethnicity | Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | 46,403,053 |
| 2 | Black/African-American (non-Hispanic) | 38,785,726 |
| 3 | Mexican | 34,640,287 |
| 4 | Irish | 33,526,444 |
| 5 | English | 24,787,018 |
One in eight Americans has German roots
Germantown, located in the Northwest section of Philadelphia, became the first permanent German settlement in the United States.
It was founded on October 6, 1683, by German Quaker and Mennonite families.
Today the founding day of Germantown, is remembered as German-American Day, observed annually on October 6 in the United States.
German-Americans are the largest self-reported ancestral group in the United States.
A chart of the top ancestries in the US, as provided by the 2000 census. Light blue shows counties predominated by ethnic Germans.
Pennsylvania has the nation's largest German-American population, with Germantown being one of the original German settlements.
Germantown is known as the birthplace of the American anti-slavery movement.
In terms of proportions Pennsylvania ranks tenth nationally in the percentage of German-Americans.
Overall, 26.1 per cent of the State's population self-reported German ancestry, making it the largest ancestral group in the state.
5 States with the highest density of Americans of German descent
- North Dakota
- 34.77%
- South Dakota
- 34.37
- Wisconsin
- 31.42%
- Iowa
- 31.10%
- Nebraska
- 30.87%
5 Communities with highest percentages of people of German ancestry
- Monterey, Ohio
- 83.6%
- Granville, Ohio
- 79.6%
- St. Henry, Ohio
- 78.5%
- Germantown Township, Illinois
- 77.6%
- Jackson, Indiana
- 77.3%
What is the most German city in America?
The city of New Ulm calls itself “the most German town in America.”
New Ulm was founded by two groups of German immigrants in the mid-1850s, both looking to create a “Utopian German community.”
Today, 66% of its residents claim German ancestry.
5 Top Counties by percentages of Germans
- Emmons County, North Dakota
- 72.5%
- McIntosh County, North Dakota
- 71.6%
- Logan County, North Dakota
- 71.5%
- Hutchinson County, South Dakota
- 67.6%
- Faulk County, South Dakota
- 66.9%
German American Religions by percentage
- Christian, Protestant, significantly Lutheran, Reformed and Anabaptist but also multiple other branches
- 51%
- Roman Catholic
- 26%
- Jewish
- 1%
- Atheists
- 16%
While distinct German American identity has become less prominent over time due to assimilation and intermarriage, German cultural influences remain deeply embedded in American life.
German American Heritage Through Statistics
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, approximately 13% of the American population identifies as having German ancestry.
This translates to about 42 million individuals.
German Americans are primarily concentrated in the Midwest, particularly in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio
However, significant populations also reside in Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.
German american Statistics: FAQ
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German Americans in the United States