Ethnic Groups in America

INTRODUCTION

This page shows statistics about ethnic groups in America including poverty rate and educational attainment for different groups.

Charts

1. Poverty Rate for 10 Largest European Ancestry Groups in USA in 1989

2. Poverty Rate for 5 Largest Middle Eastern Ancestry Groups in USA in 1989

3. Percentage with Graduate Degree for 10 Largest European Ancestry Groups in USA in 1990

4. Percentage with Graduate Degree for 5 Largest Middle Eastern Ancestry Groups in USA in 1990

5. Unemployment Rate by Sex and Race in 2023

6. Racial/Ethnic Distribution of America 1910 – 1920

The chart shows poverty rates among the ten largest European ancestry groups in the USA in 1989. The French ancestry group records the highest rate, which may partly reflect the socioeconomic profile of Cajun communities in Louisiana—descendants of French-speaking Acadians—who historically lived in rural, economically disadvantaged areas.

The relatively high Irish poverty rate may trace back to the community’s historical origins in the United States, where many Irish immigrants arrived in the 19th century as impoverished labourers fleeing famine. Although Irish Americans achieved substantial upward mobility over time, remnants of earlier socioeconomic disadvantage may still have been visible in 1989 data.

More broadly, it is important to note that this snapshot is from 1989—over three decades ago. At that time, socioeconomic outcomes across ancestry groups were still more strongly shaped by earlier migration waves, regional settlement patterns and industrial decline. Contemporary patterns may differ significantly due to generational mobility, suburbanisation and changing labour markets.

The chart shows the percentage of people with graduate degrees among the ten largest European ancestry groups in the USA in 1990. Scottish ancestry ranks highest, followed by English and Scots-Irish groups, while French and Dutch ancestry groups sit lower on the list.

When compared with the earlier poverty chart (1989), a clear pattern emerges: groups with higher graduate degree attainment tend to have lower poverty rates. For example, Scottish and English ancestry groups rank relatively high in education and comparatively low in poverty. Conversely, groups that recorded higher poverty rates—such as French and Irish—tend to appear lower in graduate degree attainment.

This relationship highlights the strong link between education and socioeconomic mobility. Higher educational attainment often provides access to professional occupations, higher incomes, and greater economic stability. The contrast between the two charts reinforces the broader point that education plays a crucial role in moving individuals and communities out of poverty over time.

The chart shows that all five Middle Eastern ancestry groups in the USA in 1990 had notably high rates of graduate degree attainment, with Iranians and Egyptians at the top, followed by Turkish, Lebanese and Syrian groups. These figures are substantially higher than those recorded for the large European ancestry groups shown earlier.

One key reason is migration history. Many European-origin populations have been established in the United States for multiple generations, meaning their educational profile reflects a broad cross-section of society. In contrast, much Middle Eastern migration in the late 20th century was more recent and often highly selective. US immigration policy during this period favoured students, professionals and skilled workers, resulting in a large proportion of first-generation immigrants with advanced education.

Within the groups, Iranians stand out with the highest attainment. This partly reflects Iran’s strong cultural emphasis on higher education, particularly in technical and scientific fields, as well as the arrival of many highly educated refugees after the 1979 revolution. Egyptians and Turks also include significant professional migration, while Lebanese and Syrian communities reflect more mixed migration waves across decades.