Bulgarian Americans

Immigration Patterns

The first wave of Bulgarian immigration occurred between 1900 and 1910, bringing an estimated 50,000 to the United States. These early immigrants came to the United States because of economic hardship and overpopulation in their homeland. The majority of these immigrants were single men, peasants and unskilled laborers, who came with the intention of earning some money and then returning home. Many succeeded with their goal, for between 1910 and 1929, there were more returnees than new immigrants. Between 1919 and 1939, women and children made up the majority of the second wave of immigrants to the United States, joining the men who had decided to stay. The last period of immigration began after World War II, continuing to the present. The most recent immigrants have come to the United States as political refugees.

Contemporary Community

In recent years, people from Bulgaria have sought permanent residency and completed the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens. From 1997 through 2002, about 4,200 Bulgarians immigrated to the United States annually. At least 15,000 Bulgarian Americans have become naturalized citizens since 1997.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, there were 82,828 people of Bulgarian national origin in the United States in 2005. In terms of geographic distribution, the top five states were California, Illinois, New York, Florida, and Georgia. Of the Bulgarian-born immigrants present here in 2000, only 1.5% had entered the country prior to 2000. According to the 2000 census, 40.7% spoke English less than “very well.” Their median family income was $46,668, compared with $50,890 for the nation as a whole.

Among famous Bulgarian Americans are Carl Djerassi, chemist and developer of the first oral contraceptive pill; Christo, artist/creator of environmental art, such as “The Gates” in Central Park, New York; John Atanoff, inventor of the first computer; and Stephane Groueff, writer/journalist, who wrote Manhattan Project.