Northeast:
* New York City: The largest Italian-American population in the US. Little Italy in Manhattan was a major hub.
* New England: Cities like Boston, Providence, and Hartford had significant Italian communities.
* Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were popular destinations, with the former even having its own "Little Italy."
Mid-Atlantic:
* New Jersey: Newark and Jersey City attracted many Italian immigrants, particularly those from southern Italy.
* Maryland: Baltimore's "Little Italy" is well-known.
* Delaware: Wilmington's Italian community grew significantly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Midwest:
* Chicago: One of the largest Italian-American communities outside of New York City.
* Detroit: A significant Italian population, particularly from the Veneto region of Italy.
* Cleveland: A large and vibrant Italian community, with several neighborhoods boasting Italian heritage.
West Coast:
* San Francisco: "North Beach" was known as the "Little Italy" of San Francisco, with a strong Italian presence.
* Los Angeles: The Italian community in Los Angeles flourished, particularly in the neighborhoods of "Little Italy" and "East Hollywood."
Other Notable Locations:
* New Orleans: A strong Italian influence in the city's cuisine and culture.
* St. Louis: A significant Italian community, with a vibrant "Little Italy" neighborhood.
* Denver: A smaller but notable Italian community, with its own "Little Italy."
Factors Influencing Settlement:
* Chain migration: Italian immigrants often followed family and friends to existing communities.
* Job opportunities: Industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining drew Italian immigrants to specific regions.
* Cultural similarities: Some Italian immigrants found kinship with other European immigrant groups in certain locations.
* Availability of affordable housing: Many Italians settled in neighborhoods that were relatively affordable compared to more affluent areas.
It's important to note that Italian immigration to the US was a complex and evolving process, with waves of immigrants coming from different parts of Italy at different times. This resulted in diverse Italian communities with unique characteristics and traditions.