Peruvian Americans

A Peruvian American is an immigrant or descendant of immigrants from Peru that arrived in the United States. Peruvian Americans are mainly Spanish or Mestizos of Indigenous and Spaniard blood, but most of the more recent immigrants are Native people. A great part of the minority is of pure or mixed Chinese or Japanese heritage. Others are Afro-Peruvians and Arab-Peruvians.

Peruvians emigrate mainly because of political turmoil and economic hardships. Peruvian Americans are a relatively recent ethnic group as most of them moved to the United States after 1990. Smaller but significant waves of immigration occurred in San Francisco during the gold rush(along with Chilean miners beginning in 1848) and the Metro Detroit area in the 1950s. Peruvians have settled throughout the United States, particularly in Northern New Jersey, but also in New York City, Tampa Bay, Florida and Miami, Florida. A number of Peruvian Americans have settled in Paterson, New Jersey, owing to an established community and Peruvian Consulate. Western Market Street, located in downtown Paterson, is lined with Peruvian owned restaurants, bakeries, delis, travel agencies, and other businesses. In addition, a popular, small bus corporation that serves such places as Paterson, Passaic, New Jersey, and Union City, New Jersey and New York City is owned by Peruvian Americans.

In 2000, the communities with the largest percentage of residents claiming Peruvian ancestry were

1. East Newark, New Jersey 10.1%
2. Harrison, New Jersey 7.01
3. Paterson, New Jersey 4.72
4. Kearny, New Jersey 3.82
5. The Hammocks, Florida 3.36
6. Port Chester, New York 3.3
7. Virginia Gardens, Florida 3.24
8. Prospect Park, New Jersey 3.22
9. Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 3.11
10. Doral, Florida 2.95

Religious Affiliation

Over 90% of all Peruvian Americans are Roman Catholic. Their chief saint is San Martin de Porres.

Culture

Peruvian food includes ceviche (raw fish cooked in lemon), seafood-based foods, potatoes, and corn. Peruvian cuisine is often recognized for being one of the most diverse and appreciated of the Latin American cuisines. Since there is a sizable Chinese and Japanese minority in Peru, an Asian influence has been incorporated in Peruvian cuisine. There are Chifas, or Asian style Peruvian restaurants that serve typical Chinese or Japanese food with a Peruvian culinary influence. Inca Kola, a soda that originated in Peru, is sold in many heavily concentrated Hispanic areas.

Social Aspects

Despite being a relatively recent ethnic group, the median household income for Peruvians meets the average American household income [1] and 25% of all Peruvians over the age of 25 have college degrees [2] slightly exceeding the national average of 24%.