Issues

Lebanon

Who are Lebanese-Americans?

Posted on Tuesday October 17, 2006

Lebanese immigrants have been settling in the U.S. since the late 19th century, making them the largest subgroup of Arabic speaking immigrants in America.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau*, approximately one-third of persons reporting Arab ancestry were Lebanese. AAIF estimates that at least one million Americans are of Lebanese heritage.

While many Lebanese immigrated to America during the great migration, the 1970s began a new wave which has not slowed since. Two major events contributed to an increase in the number of immigrants and refugees coming to the U.S., the civil war in Lebanon in 1975, and the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.

• Well known Americans of Lebanese descent include: actors Tony Shalhoub and Marlo Thomas; White House correspondent Helen Thomas; NFL player Doug Flutie; NASCAR champion Bobby Rahal; and U.S. Congressmen Nick Rahall, Darell Issa, Charles Boustany, and Ray Lahood.

• Forty percent of Lebanese-Americans have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher, making them the second most educated Arab subgroup, after the Egyptians. Over 16% of Lebanese Americans, twice the national average, have obtained a graduate or professional degree.

• While Lebanese-Americans reside in each of the fifty states, more than half are concentrated in a few specific states. Michigan is the most populated state, with an estimated 150,000 Lebanese-Americans residing in the state, which is also home to scores of businesses, charities, social clubs and community centers serving the Lebanese American population.

  

• Lebanese-Americans have the highest rate of citizenship among Arab Americans. Three fourths of Lebanese in the US are native born citizens, and 93% of all Lebanese-Americans are U.S. citizens.

• Of the employed Lebanese American population, two out of every five work in management or professional occupations.
  

The 2004 American Community Survey is a new nationwide survey issued by the U.S. Census Bureau, designed to provide communities an annual look at how things are changing. It will replace the long form in the future censuses and is a critical element in the Census Bureau’s reengineered 2010 census plan.