African Art

Bengali Americans

Bengali Americans (Bengali: মার্কিন বাঙালি) are American nationals or residents who identify as Bengalis based on their ethnicity, language, and family history. They trace their roots to the historic region of Bengal, which is now split between Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. Bengali Americans also belong to the broader groups of modern-day Bangladeshi Americans and Indian Americans. Demographic census (2020) suggest that around 453,191 people in the United States speak Bengali as their main language or alongside other languages. This makes up about 0.14% of the population. Additionally, there are more than 600,000 non-resident Bangladeshi Bengalis living in the United States. As of 2026, there are approximately 150,000 Indian Bengalis in the United States. New York City has long been the main center for Bengali settlement. By 2025, the city had more than 250,000 Bangladesh-born immigrants living there. The number increases further when Bengalis originating from India are included. Since the 1970s, New York has become a key destination for Bengali immigrants. In terms of population, after Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, the United States is the fourth country where Bengalis have established permanent settlements and have either acquired citizenship or are in the process of applying for it.

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See also

• ▸American lower class
• ▸Economy of Denmark
• ▸1521

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