SLOVENE IMMIGRANTS IN USA

In 1990, to the question of their ethnic origin, 124,437 people living in the USA (2,026 fewer than in 1980) answered that they were Slovenian by origin. Of these, 87,500 (70.3 per cent) reported that Slovenian was their sole or primary line of descent. The highest numbers of Slovenes can be found in Ohio (49,598), Pennsylvania (14,584) and Illinois (11,743).

The largest Slovenian organization is the Slovenian National Benefit Society (SNPJ), which has more than 40,000 members. The American Slovenian Catholic Union (KSKJ) is the oldest organization.

In Cleveland there are nine Slovenian centers, three church centers, and two schools for supplementary instruction in the Slovene language. In 1910, the insurance company American Mutual Life Association (AMLA) was established in Cleveland; the AMLA has 16,000 members and a capital of USD 20 million. The Progressive Slovenian Women's Association (PSWA) was established in 1934; in 1991 the United Americans for Slovenia was organized.

The Cleveland-based Slovenian American Council was founded as Slovenia was gaining independence.

New York is host to the Church of St. Cyril (the Slovenian House), which has been in operation since 1916. In recent years it has become an important meeting center for Slovenes living in New York.

The Lemont Slovenian Center operates in Chicago.

Source: Ministry of Economic Relations and Development