One of the fastest-growing markets consists of US residents of Eastern European origin, Russian-speaking communities from the former Soviet republics. As the Russian American population is growing rapidly, it's impossible to ignore this diverse community, as an integral part of American society.

Since the first wave of Russian immigrants in 1880, the Russian American population has been one of fast growing ethnic populations in America. 

• Today, the Russian-American population is estimated about 5.1 million people.
  
  
• The Russian-born population represents the second largest segment after Mexican-born at 10.4% of 28.4 million foreign-born Americans and shares various favorable characteristics.
  
  
• Russian-Speaking population includes: Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Lithuanian, and other Russian-speaking immigrants.
  
  
• Russian is the third most spoken language after English in NY.

Russian market
Areas of the highest concentration
of the Russian-American population

Top 7 markets and Major residence areas of Russian Americans

Education

• Earlier Russian immigrants were void of the higher education that the later Russian immigrants brought with them. Though today, education is a cultural priority. At least 80.3% of Russian Americans have attained a high school diploma and 53% have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Profession

• The most recent Russian American immigrants brought with them a higher level of education and though they originally took their places in the labor force, most now have taken their place amongst the highly educated work force (professors, engineers, economist, etc.).
  
  
• About 70% of Russian-speaking individuals are occupied in management, sales, medicine, and education. Many have a career in high tech and computer industries. Some have devoted themselves to video production, creating feature and animated movies and documentaries.

Income

• More than 55% of the Russian-speaking families living in the U.S. have an annual income of about $55,000.
  
  
• Many Russian Americans are stocks, bonds or other investment instruments holders.
  
  
• Russian American annual buying power approaching $50 Billion.

Age

• Most Russian- speakers are bilingual but generally prefer to speak their native language at home, and turn to Russian-language media for the latest news and information.
  
  
• Higher usage of Internet and online media among the more acculturated and tech savvy younger generations.

Religion breakdown

Eastern Orthodox, Atheism, Judaism

• Religion, which motivated many Russians to emigrate, has also played an important role in maintaining Russian communities in the United States.
  
  
• In addition to Russian Jews, The Orthodox Church provides a central focus for community life and encourages the preservation of the Russian culture and language in the United States.

(Sources: Census2000, ethnic USA)