Census

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 Census 2000:

The 2000 United States Census lists 1,177,112 persons of Portuguese ancestry. States with the largest Luso-American populations include:

1. California- 330,974
2. Massachusetts- 279,722
3. Rhode Island- 91,445
4. New Jersey- 72,196
5. Florida- 48,974

Here is a complete breakdown of the Portuguese-American population, by state:
State Portuguese- American Population Portuguese- Americans as a Percentage of Total
Alabama 1,529 0.0
Alaska 2,128 0.3
Arizona 11,600 0.2
Arkansas 1,472 0.1
California 330,974 1.0
Colorado 7,051 0.2
Connecticut 44,695 1.3
DC 682 0.1
Delaware 1,001 0.1
Florida 48,974 0.3
Georgia 7,544 0.1
Hawaii 48,527 4.0
Idaho 4,187 0.3
Illinois 7,593 0.1
Indiana 2,846 0.0
Iowa 1,114 0.0
Kansas 1,805 0.1
Kentucky 1,611 0.0
Louisiana 2,550 0.1
Maine 5,351 0.4
Maryland 8,396 0.2
Massachusetts 279,722 4.4
Michigan 4,993 0.1
Minnesota 2,487 0.1
Mississippi 1,059 0.0
Missouri 3,800 0.1
Montana 1,434 0.2
Nebraska 1,226 0.1
Nevada 11,218 0.6
New Hampshire 13,095 1.1
New Jersey 72,196 0.9
New Mexico 2,225 0.1
New York 43,839 0.2
North Carolina 7,294 0.1
North Dakota 348 0.1
Ohio 6,002 0.1
Oklahoma 2,842 0.1
Oregon 14,674 0.4
Pennsylvania 13,566 0.1
Rhode Island 91,445 8.7
South Carolina 3,099 0.1
South Dakota 343 0.0
Tennessee 3,144 0.1
Texas 16,552 0.1
Utah 4,031 0.2
Vermont 2,044 0.3
Virginia 12,031 0.2
Washington 17,200 0.3
West Virginia 550 0.0
Wisconsin 2,250 0.0
Wyoming

773

 0.2

Source: United States 2000 Census.

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Famous Portuguese- Americans
  • Mary Christine Brockert is better known to her fans as Teena Marie.  A recording artist, Teena Marie is credited as being one of the few white singers to consistently score hits with black audiences.  Born in California in 1957, Teena Marie is of Portuguese, French, and Italian heritage.  Her career began when she was discovered by Motown's Berry Gordy, who teamed her with legendary funk performer Rick James.  Some of Teena Marie's biggest hits include Square Biz, Lovergirl, Ooo La La La, which became a number one hit on the R&B chart in 1988, and Portuguese Love. 
  • Teresa Heinz Kerry was born in Mozambique as Teresa Simőes-Ferreira, where her Portuguese father worked as a physician. Teresa is the widow of John Heinz, the former Pennsylvania senator and ketchup heir. Following his death, she re-married to Massachusetts Senator and presidential contender John Kerry. Teresa is Chairman of the Heinz Family Philanthropies and The Heinz Endowments.  Fluent in five languages, Teresa has worked as an interpreter to the United Nations. 
  • Born in Washington DC in 1854, John Philip Sousa was an acclaimed musical composer and conductor. He is sometimes referred to as the "March King". Sousa was the third of 10 children.  His father was born in Spain, of Portuguese parents. Sousa's most famous work is undeniably "Stars and Stripes Forever", which is the official march of the United States.  He also invented the sousaphone. Sousa was leader of the US Marine Band from 1880-1892.  Sousa died in 1932.
  • A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Meredith Vieira is television personality.  She moderates ABC's talk show "The View", and hosts of the syndicated edition of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".  Her ancestors hail from the Azores and settled in the United States 100 years ago in the Portuguese communities of southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  

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Internet Links of Interest:

Culture:
Education:

News:

Organizations:
Radio:
  • KIGS- Portuguese Radio based in California
  • Rádio Ponte- WHTB 1400 AM, broadcasting from Fall River, Massachusetts
  • WFAR: Radio Familia- Family oriented radio station in Connecticut broadcasting in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian
  • WJFD-FM- Portuguese radio station in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

 

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