The Italian Heritage in New Jersey and New York: Exploring the Enclaves and Impact

Yes, New Jersey and New York have the 1st and 2nd largest population of Italian Americans, respectively. This article will delve into the historical context and the current situation of Italian American communities in these states, along with their cultural and demographic significance.

Migration and Labor Demands

In the period between 1890 and 1929, US demand for labor coincided with population strain and social stresses in Italy. Due to declining homesteading opportunities and the lack of initial capital and skills to start in new environments far from home, Italians began to migrate to the United States as laborers. Initially, their entry points were near their ports of immigration, where they found temporary housing and work communities that respected their cultural heritage.

Both New York City and cities just across the Hudson River in New Jersey offered significant work opportunities and the supportive communities they sought. Despite the prejudices they faced, these Italian immigrants gradually settled in neighborhoods where the language and customs were more familiar and accepted.

Integration and Discrimination

While Italian Americans faced discrimination and some areas in the United States were hesitant to accept them as neighbors, forms of racial and ethnic discrimination were common during this period. For instance, up until the 1950s, some suburban towns had explicit policies against Italian immigration. A Federal Housing Authority (FHA) map from 1960 clearly shows redlining of a predominantly Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn where my wife grew up. The map indicated that too many Italians resided there to permit FHA mortgages, reflecting the housing discrimination that persisted.

These challenges were part of a broader trend of Italian emigration, spurred by socio-economic factors such as high rents and landowners' oppression in Sicily. For example, almost 20 fatalities occurred in a peasant uprising in the late 1890s, leading to a mass emigration of young men from my wife's grandfather's village. This underscores the hardships faced by Italian immigrants and the reasons for their widespread migration.

Demographics and Cultural Enclaves

While the percentages of Italian Americans in New York and New Jersey may be high, it's important to note that other states in the Northeast also have significant numbers. For instance, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania all have notable Italian American communities, but their percentages are lower. As you can see, while the northeastern region is a hub for Italian Americans, the numbers drop off significantly when you move further from these coastal states.

The historical pattern of Italian immigration led to the formation of Italian American enclaves over time. Immigrants, primarily from southern Italy, began settling in neighborhoods centered around New York City and northeastern New Jersey. Over time, as these immigrants advanced in their careers and were able to send their children to college, they began to move into more welcoming and integrated suburbs, forming largely Italian-American enclaves. These enclaves often maintained strong ties to their roots, preserving cultural traditions and fostering a sense of community among Italian Americans.

While WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) were generally not interested in living or schooling their children in predominantly Catholic communities, the Italian American communities in New Jersey and New York formed strong, cohesive enclaves that attracted successive generations of immigrants.