Data released by the federal Census Bureau reveals that a substantial 1.4 million people in the United States claimed Czech roots or identity in the 2020 census, shedding light on the enduring cultural ties between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.

Among white ethnic groups in the United States, Czech identity emerged as the 16th most frequently mentioned, with notable concentrations in states like Texas, Illinois, and California. Chicago, Illinois, in particular, is renowned for its historic Czech population, with a district named Pilsen, a nod to the West Bohemian city.

The 2020 U.S. Census marked a significant milestone as it allowed respondents to specify their ethnic identity or community, and they could identify with more than one. This inclusive approach was particularly noteworthy for individuals identifying as white or black, as it marked the first time they were given such an option.

In total, the Census Bureau recorded approximately 300 ethnic communities and an impressive 1,200 tribes or other designations of origin for Native people.

Within this rich tapestry of identities, 1.4 million respondents proudly claimed Czech identity, whether as their sole heritage or in conjunction with other identities. This firmly established Czech identity as the 16th most frequently mentioned community within the white category, placing it on par with other European identities such as Hungarian, Portuguese, or Danish. Notably, among white respondents, English (46.6 million people), German (nearly 45 million people), and Irish (38.6 million people) were the most commonly cited ancestral roots.

Beyond the white category, the largest non-European ethnic group identified in the 2020 census was Mexicans, with a substantial count of almost 36 million people claiming Mexican ancestry. African-Americans followed as the next largest group, with 24.6 million respondents identifying as such.

The Census Bureau reported that it received over 350 million responses pertaining to questions about race and ethnic group membership, marking a significant increase compared to the 2010 census. However, it’s important to note that the differences in data collection methods between 2010 and 2020 mean that the two datasets are not entirely comparable.

In totality, the 2020 census paints a portrait of a diverse and culturally rich United States, with 331 million people residing in the country at the time of the census. Czech identity’s presence in this mosaic underscores the enduring ties and contributions of Czech-Americans to the nation’s fabric.

Article by Prague Forum