The 10 Most Irish Cities in America

Sure, everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day. But we have the definitive list of the cities where you can find the most Irish pubs, celebrations and people with Irish heritage. See if your city is among them.

March 15, 2022

By: Felicia Feaster

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The Most Irish Cities in America

The lawn care-service company Lawnstarter looked at the 200 biggest American cities based on the size of their Irish population, access to Irish restaurants and pubs, the number of St. Patrick’s Day and other Irish cultural events and the number of Irish cultural groups and organizations (such as Irish dance schools, cultural centers and networking associations) to come up with the most Irish cities in America. Count down with us as we find out the places you are most likely to get a solid corned beef and cabbage and encounter freckled redheads.

10. Worcester, Massachusetts

In Worcester, 14.6% of the city's population claim Irish ancestry.

9. Syracuse, New York

Maybe it is that familiar, frigid weather that makes Syracuse, New York, a hub for Irish-Americans.

8. Spokane

Right after Naperville, Illinois, Spokane has the highest share of Irish population of American cities.

7. Denver

Believe it or not, the Mile High City's St. Patrick's Day parade lasts five hours, so make sure you have plenty of provisions when you settle in to watch this annual celebration of all things Irish.

6. Philadelphia

Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day parade is the second oldest in the country.

5. Naperville, Illinois

Naperville has the highest share of Irish population of all American cities, according to Lawnstarter's findings. It is also home to the McNulty School of Irish Dance. The school has spawned a number of similar schools in Chicago and across the country.

4. Pittsburgh

The US Census Bureau puts the latest number of Irish-Americans at 31.5 million. Property was plentiful in Pittsburgh when the Irish began immigrating to the United States, which explains why it has become a city with such a high Irish population.

3. New York City

Irish step dancers participate in the Saint Patrick's Day parade on Fifth Avenue, in New York. Not surprisingly for a city founded on entertainment and dining options, New York City has the highest number of Irish restaurants and bars in the country.

2. Chicago

Workers dye Chicago River green as part of the city's annual St Patrick's Day celebrations in Chicago. Chicago boasts the highest number of Irish cultural events among American cities, including St. Patrick's Day.

1. Boston

Is it really any surprise that Boston has the most Irishness per square mile than any other American city? The Irish began to migrate to Boston as far back as 1845 due to potato blight in their homeland. The Irish continue to make up 20% of the city's overall population.

As an aside, Lawnstarter also ranked the least Irish cities in America and #200, or the absolute last on that list, was Hialeah, Florida.