Introduction and Demographics
The Romani are a migrating ethnicity of Indian origin, living mostly in Europe and the Americas. Romani are widely known among American people by the name "Gypsies". They are called throughout the world by various names as Romany, Romowie, Roma, Zigeuner, Cyganie, Cigáni, or Gitano. In their own language, Romani, they are known collectively as Roma, Romane or Rromane.
Since the nineteenth century, some Gypsies have migrated to the Americas. There are an estimated one million Gypsies in the United States. Though the Gypsy population in the United States has largely integrated themselves into American society, there is a noticeable concentration of Gypsy in Oregon with lesser significant concentrations in Maine, Washington, New Jersey, Utah and West Virginia, and American Gypsy communities can be found in most major metropolitan areas.
It is difficult to get any hard facts or numbers regarding the Gypsy population in the United States. For a variety of reasons, many Gypsies choose not to register their ethnic identity in official censuses, however, it wouldn't matter if they did. The U.S. Census does not distinguish Romani as a group, since it is neither a nationality nor a religion.
Since the nineteenth century, some Gypsies have migrated to the Americas. There are an estimated one million Gypsies in the United States. Though the Gypsy population in the United States has largely integrated themselves into American society, there is a noticeable concentration of Gypsy in Oregon with lesser significant concentrations in Maine, Washington, New Jersey, Utah and West Virginia, and American Gypsy communities can be found in most major metropolitan areas.
It is difficult to get any hard facts or numbers regarding the Gypsy population in the United States. For a variety of reasons, many Gypsies choose not to register their ethnic identity in official censuses, however, it wouldn't matter if they did. The U.S. Census does not distinguish Romani as a group, since it is neither a nationality nor a religion.