![Census Reveals That Butte, Montana is The Most Irish City in America](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2012/08/FullSizeRender22-630x472.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Census Reveals That Butte, Montana is The Most Irish City in America
There's a lot of green around the U.S. on St. Patrick's Day, but only one town can be the "most Irish" and according to the 2010 census, that town is Butte.
According to irishcentral.com staff writer Kerry O'Shea in her article "Butte , Montana is the most Irish city according to 2010 U.S. Census," Butte has a record 23.6% of citizens that report being either Irish or Irish-American.
Interview with Kerry O'Shea:
Many assume that Boston would top the list, but it is only 19.8% Irish. It did however rank as the most Irish of America's 50 largest cities.
According to O'Shea, "Right behind Butte were Ocean City, N.J., Corinth, Miss., and Barnstable Town (better known as Cape Cod), Mass, all which had just over 20 percent identifying as being Irish-American."
Butte's Irish roots are deeply involved with the rise of the mining industry there. O'Shea says that Butte's embrace of Irish-Catholicism is a major reason why so many Irish families have decided to stick around. In the 1950's, the city boasted a total of 10 Catholic churches.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![The Story Behind Montana’s Own Evel Knievel’s Sports Illustrated Cover Photo](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/01/attachment-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Copy-of-Untitled-Design1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Every City/Town in Montana Listed By Population](http://townsquare.media/site/117/files/2021/12/attachment-Untitled-design-2021-12-14T155901.324.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Missoula to Host Geohazards Program on Earthquake Preparedness](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-RS17476_GettyImages-846846240-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana’s Top 10 Most Popular TV Shows of 2023](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/01/attachment-RS41986_GettyImages-504460450-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Patrick’s Day Events in Missoula Include Whiskey Tasting and Banquet](http://townsquare.media/site/117/files/2018/03/GettyImages-654558998.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Celtic Fest Is This Weekend in Missoula](http://townsquare.media/site/117/files/2015/07/screaming-orphans.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![In Massachusetts, A Long and Tortured Death Penalty History](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/04/second-suspect-630x472.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Chinese Man Accused of Illegal Exports to Iran](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2014/12/459168068.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![“An Irish Christmas in Montana” to Take the Stage December 6](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2014/11/158008016.jpg?w=980&q=75)