Appalachian Americans
Appalachian Americans, or simply Appalachians, are Americans living in the geocultural area of Appalachia in the eastern United States, or their descendants.
Areas included under the Appalachian Regional Commission's charter. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 25.7 million (Appalachian Regional Commission, 2019 estimate) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| United States, especially West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio; historical populations in Illinois, Indiana | |
| Languages | |
| English (including Appalachian English) | |
| Religion | |
| Southern Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, American Baptist | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| German Americans, Irish Americans, English Americans, African Americans, Scotch-Irish Americans, Italian Americans, Okies, Melungeons |
While not an official demographic used or recognized by the United States Census Bureau, Appalachian Americans, due to various factors, have developed their own distinct culture within larger social groupings. Included are their own dialect, music, folklore, and even sports teams as in the case of the Appalachian League. Furthermore, many colleges and universities now grant degrees in Appalachian studies, as well as scholarship programs for Appalachian students. The term has seen growing usage in recent years, possibly in opposition to the use of hillbilly, which is still often used to describe people of the region.