A Chicago street with people and the skyline
Guide Poland → The USA · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Polish community in the USA

How many Polish people live in the USA, where Polish Mass and schools are, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Polish people live in the USA?

More than 8 million Americans have Polish roots. Most live around New York and Chicago, which has been the centre of the Polish-American community for over 100 years.

8.3 millionAmericans with Polish roots
~174,000in New York
~125,000in Chicago
390,000born in Poland
151,260born in Poland in Chicago in 1920

American Community Survey 2024 (US Census Bureau, via Census Reporter); 1920 via WBEZ (Chicago).

Where people live

Where Polish people live in the USA

Polish Americans live across the USA, most around New York and Chicago.

CHI
ChicagoThe historic centre of Polish America; a Polish consulate general.
NYC
New YorkThe most people with Polish roots; a Polish consulate general.
USA
All of AmericaPolish consulates in Los Angeles and Houston too, and the embassy in Washington.
Community life

A piece of home, close by

Mass
St. Hyacinth Basilica in ChicagoThe parish began in 1894 with 40 Polish families; the church was dedicated in 1921 and became a basilica in 2003. It has three Masses in Polish every Sunday.
Sch
Polish schoolsPolish state schools at the consulates in Chicago and New York (in Brooklyn) and at the embassy (in Falls Church, Virginia), plus many Saturday schools, especially around Chicago.
PL
The embassy and four consulates generalThe embassy in Washington covers the Mid-Atlantic and the South-East. Consulates general: New York (New England, New York, New Jersey), Chicago (the Midwest), Houston (Texas, Florida and the South) and Los Angeles (the West, Alaska and Hawaii).
Shop
Polish shopsIn many towns, and Polish food in the big supermarket chains too.
Mass
St. Stanislaus in ManhattanThe oldest Polish Catholic parish in New York State, run by the Pauline Fathers since 1986, with Mass in Polish on weekdays and weekends.
1935
The Polish Museum of AmericaFounded in 1935 and opened in 1937 at 984 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago: one of the oldest ethnic museums in the USA.
Fest
Taste of Polonia, ChicagoA Polish festival every Labor Day weekend at the Copernicus Center, since 1980.
NYC
The Pulaski Day Parade, New YorkEvery October up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The 89th parade was on 4 October 2026.
TV
Polish TVThe channels from home, live in the USA.Read the TV guide →
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Miss home?

The channels you grew up with, here

The news from home, your series, the big matches and the kids' cartoons in Polish. Live in the USA, on your TV.

How to watch Polish TV in the USA →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Polish people in the USA meet online

Much of the community talks on Facebook: jobs, flats, advice and events, in Polish.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for “Polacy w Chicago” or “Polacy w Nowym Jorku”.
PL
The embassy's pageThe Polish embassy in Washington.gov.pl →

Stay safe: groups are great for jobs and flats, but never send money or photos of your ID to someone you only know from a group.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Polish people live in the USA?

More than 8 million Americans have Polish roots (2024), and about 390,000 of them were born in Poland. The biggest communities are in New York (about 174,000) and Chicago (about 125,000).

Where do most Polish people in the USA live?

Around New York and Chicago. Chicago has been the centre of Polish America for over 100 years.

Is there Mass in Polish in the USA?

Polish parishes with Mass in Polish, above all around Chicago and New York. The embassy's page (gov.pl) has the details.

Are there Facebook groups for Polish people in the USA?

Yes. Search Facebook groups for “Polacy w Chicago” or “Polacy w Nowym Jorku”.

Where do I get a Polish passport in the USA?

At the consulate general for your state (New York, Chicago, Houston or Los Angeles) or at the embassy in Washington, in person after booking on e-Konsulat. The fee is $165.

Can I get a Polish ID card at the embassy in the USA?

No. Consulates do not issue Polish ID cards: you apply in Poland, at any municipal office (urząd gminy).

Can I watch Polish TV in the USA?

Yes. Our Polish TV in the USA guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in the USA

Guides for you

Polish TV in the USAEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in the USAHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to the USAA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources