From Chicago to Paterson: Little Palestine Across the USA

Across the United States, Palestinian Americans have built vibrant communities that preserve their heritage while contributing to the nation’s cultural and economic life. While they are present in nearly every state, certain cities and neighborhoods have become true hubs of Palestinian identity—places where Arabic signs line the streets, family-owned businesses serve traditional cuisine, and community centers keep cultural traditions alive.

From the bustling streets of Chicago’s “Little Palestine” in Bridgeview to the lively markets of South Paterson, New Jersey, these enclaves offer a window into the Palestinian experience in America.

Where Are Palestinians Concentrated in the United States?

Palestinian Americans are dispersed across the U.S., yet certain regions stand out for their prominent communities:

State-Level Distribution

• California leads with the largest Palestinian population—approximately 26,000 residents—followed by Illinois (~17,300) and Texas (~13,500).

• In terms of percentage of population, Illinois ranks highest (0.14%), followed by Ohio (0.09%) and New Jersey (0.08%).

Key Metro Areas & Enclaves

• Greater Chicago hosts the largest Palestinian concentration among metropolitan areas—with around 85,000 Palestinian Americans, making up 60% of the region’s Arab population. Cities like Bridgeview, often dubbed “Little Palestine,” and suburbs such as Orland Park and Tinley Park are hubs of Palestinian cultural life.

• South Paterson, New Jersey, part of the New York metro area, is home to one of the most concentrated Palestinian enclaves—sometimes called “Little Ramallah” or “Little Istanbul”—with an estimated 20,000 Arab Americans .

• Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (NYC) hosts a diverse Arab community, including many Palestinians among its estimated 35,000 residents.

• Other notable clusters include Dearborn, Michigan (a major Arab American center), Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami, and San Francisco Bay Area.

Noteworthy Neighborhoods

According to ethnic-enclave listings, Palestinian communities also thrive in:

• Astoria (Queens, NYC)

• Foster City, Corona, Fremont, Rancho Cucamonga, and San José (California)

• Alafaya (Florida)

• Areas in Houston (TX), Aurora (CO), Columbus (OH), Philadelphia (PA), and others.

Palestinian American communities are most substantial in Illinois, California, and Texas, with metropolitan hotspots in Chicago, New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Dearborn, and Philadelphia—each with vibrant cultural institutions, businesses, and social structures anchored by Palestinian heritage.