Las Vegas, Nevada, Tops List Of Growing American Jewish Communities

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 9 October 1998

Las Vegas, Nevada, topped the list of growing U.S. Jewish communities, followed by Monmouth County, New Jersey, according to figures reported in the 1998 edition of the American Jewish Year Book, just published by the American Jewish Committee. The Philadelphia area reported the largest drop in Jewish population, its new estimate confirming a process of decline over some years, updating a 15-year old survey.

The estimated size of the American Jewish community in the United States in 1997 was 6 million or 2.3 percent of the total U.S. population, an increase of 100,000 over last year's figures. This rise primarily reflects growth in several communities -- achieved partly through Jewish immigration to the U.S., particularly by refugees from the former Soviet Union -- and has been documented by new demographic surveys.

These and other Jewish population estimates and demographics trends are found in an American Jewish Year Book article entitled "Jewish Population in the United States, 1997," prepared by Jeffrey Scheckner and Jim Schwartz of the Council of Jewish Federations and the North American Jewish Data Bank. The Data Bank is a joint venture of the Center for Jewish Studies of the City University Graduate Center and the Council of Jewish Federations, a national body.

In Las Vegas, a recent demographic study of the Jewish population showed an increase of more than 35,000 -- 178 percent -- over the previous estimate, which had not been updated for many years. This increase, bringing Las Vegas' Jewish population estimate to 55,600, mirrors the rapid growth in the general Las Vegas population.

Following Las Vegas, the second largest gain reported in 1997 was in Monmouth County, New Jersey, an increase of more than 29,000 or 87.5 percent, to 63,000. The authors note that while the Jewish population had been growing in this North Jersey shore suburban area for many years, it was only recently documented in a demographic survey. Most of the growth has occurred in the western area of the county, in towns such as Marlboro and Manalapan.

The largest decline in Jewish population estimates, documented by a new communal survey, was reported in the Philadelphia area, with a loss of 44,000 to 206,000, or a 17.6 percent drop. Most of the loss was in the city of Philadelphia proper and in Delaware County. There was some growth, however, in Chester and Bucks counties. The last time a survey was done in this area was in 1983.

The article reports that almost half of U.S. Jews are concentrated in three metropolitan areas: New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island (32.8 percent); Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside (10.5 percent); and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (5.9 percent).

The metropolitan area with the largest Jewish population, proportionately, is West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Florida, where Jews account for 16 percent of the population (though in absolute numbers, West Palm Beach-Boca Raton is the 9th largest Jewish community in the U.S.). Closely following are the New York metro area and Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, where Jews are, respectively, 10.6 percent and 10.4 percent of the total population.

The five states reporting the largest Jewish populations in 1997, in absolute numbers, were: New York (1,653,000), California (956,000), Florida (620,000), New Jersey (461,000) and Pennsylvania (282,000).

New York remains the state with the highest Jewish concentration at 9.1 percent of its total population. New York is again followed by New Jersey, with Jews comprising 5.8 percent of its total population (up from 5.5 percent in 1996). The District of Columbia remains in third position with its Jewish community making up 4.7 percent of its general population, up very slightly from last year. Massachusetts rose from fifth place to fourth this year with its 279,000 Jews making up 4.6 percent of that state's population. Florida fell one position this year to fifth place with its Jewish population making up 4.3 percent of its total population, down slightly from the previous year.

Other areas topping the list of growing U.S. Jewish communities include Los Angeles and Ventura County, California; Denver, Colorado; Cleveland, Ohio; and Dallas, Texas.

A recent survey in Los Angeles showed a slight increase of 18,000, up from the 501,000 indicated in their last survey conducted 18 years ago.

Based on informed estimates, the figure for Ventura County, California, which lies northwest of Los Angeles County, has been increased by 6,000, a growth of 66.5 percent to 15,000.

A recently completed survey in Denver, Colorado revealed a Jewish population estimate increase of 17,000 to 63,000, a 37 percent gain.

Based on new survey results, the 1997 Jewish population estimate for Cleveland, Ohio was raised to 81,000, up from 65,000 in 1996 or a 24.6 percent increase. The geographic area covered in the new survey includes some outlying regions such as portions of Summit, Lake and Geauga counties, which were not included in earlier research. In addition, improved survey methodology and growth from immigration are also contributing factors.

Dallas, Texas reported an estimate increase of 8,000 to a total Jewish population of 45,000. This rise represents a 21.6 percent gain.

The Jewish community of Boston, Massachusetts rose by 5,000 to 233,000, up from last year's figure of 228,000, representing a 2.2 percent gain. The growth in Boston was mainly in the near western suburbs, while declines occurred mainly in the city, northeastern suburbs, and the North Shore area. Though smaller in number than previously, Newton and Brookline remain the most densely populated Jewish areas, with 28,000 and 20,000 Jews, respectively.

Other communities reporting moderate gains were found in the South and West. They included: Sarasota, Florida (up 500 to an estimate of 17,000); Boca Raton-Delray Beach, Florida (up 2,700 to an estimate of 86,000); Columbus, Georgia (up 100 to 1,100); Columbia-Howard County, Maryland (up 2,000 to 10,000); Portland, Oregon (up 500 to 14,500); and Spokane, Washington (up 100 to 1,400).

Among the communities reporting declines in their Jewish population estimates were the Miami-Dade County, Florida region, which dropped its Jewish population estimate by 11,000, down to 134,000 in 1997. Dade County has experienced demographic decline for most of the past decade.

The Middlesex County, New Jersey estimate was reduced by 14,000, down from 51,000 in 1996 to 45,000 in 1997, reflecting perceived losses in northern parts of the county.

In their analysis of Jewish population in the United States, Mr. Scheckner and Dr. Schwartz stress that "because population estimation is not an exact science, the reader should be aware that in cases where a figure differs from last year's, the increase or decrease did not come about suddenly, but occurred over a period of time and has just now been substantiated. Similarly, the results of a completed local demographic study often change the previously reported Jewish population figure. This should be understood as either an updated calculation of gradual demographic change or a correction of a faulty, older estimate.

"In determining Jewish population, communities count by affiliated and nonaffiliated residents who are 'core' Jews as defined in the 1990 National Jewish Population Survey (born Jews who report adherence to Judaism, Jews by choice and born Jews without a current religion -- 'secular Jews.') In most cases, counts are made by households, with that number multiplied by the average number of self-defined Jewish persons per household. Similarly to NJPS, most communities also include those born and raised as Jews but who at present consider themselves as having no religion. Non-Jews living in Jewish households, primarily the non-Jewish spouses and non-Jewish children, are not included in the 1997 estimates."

The authors also note that while "Jewish federations are the chief reporting bodies, their service areas vary in size and may represent several towns, one county, or an aggregate of several counties. In some cases we have subdivided federation areas to reflect the more natural geographic boundaries. Estimates from areas without federations have been provided by local rabbis and other informed Jewish communal leaders. In still other cases, the figures that have been updated are from estimates provided by United Jewish Appeal field representatives. Finally, for smaller communities from which no recent estimates are available, figures are based on extrapolation from older data. These estimates are for the resident Jewish population, including those in private households and institutional settings."

This year, the American Jewish Year Book features four special essays dedicated to two important anniversaries -- 100 years of the Zionist movement and 50 years of Israeli statehood: "Herzl's Road to Zionism," by Shlomo Avineri; "Zionism and the Upheavals of the 20th Century," by Anita Shapira; "Israel At 50: An Israeli Perspective, "by Yossi Klein Halevi; and "Israel At 50: An American Jewish Perspective," by Arnold Eisen.

The 1998 Year Book also includes, for the first time, a visual essay entitled "Images of History," a photographic look at critical moment's in Israel's history from 1947 through 1996.

The volume also offers reports on Jewish communities around the world, and articles on Jewish life in the United States, including updates on politics, intergroup relations, church-state issues, anti-Semitism, religion, and communal affairs.

The Year Book also provides directories of national Jewish organizations, periodicals, schools, and federation and welfare funds, as well as religious calendars and obituaries of prominent Jews.

Dr. David Singer is the editor of the 1998 American Jewish Year Book. Ruth R. Seldin is executive editor.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org