The Great Pierogi Diaspora: How Many Ukrainians Are Crashing on Chicago's Couches (and Hearts) Right Now?
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, brutal winters, and enough deep dish pizza variations to make your tastebuds do the Macarena. But lately, there's a new ingredient in the Windy City stew: Ukrainian refugees. And by "ingredient," we mean a whole lot of amazing, resilient people seeking a safe haven.
So, the question on everyone's mind (besides where to find the best Italian beef, obvs) is: How many Ukrainians are calling Chicago home these days?
Now, getting an exact number is trickier than navigating rush hour on Lake Shore Drive. But buckle up, history buffs, because we're about to embark on a journey through the wonderful world of estimates.
Here's the TL;DR:
- Informed guesses suggest Chicago has welcomed over 30,000 Ukrainian refugees. That's a lot of people who can now tell you why deep dish is superior to New York-style (because, science).
But wait, there's more!
This refugee influx is a big deal, but here's some fun trivia to impress your friends at trivia night (because who doesn't love showing off?):
- Chicago already had a strong Ukrainian presence: We're talking over 100,000 Ukrainians in the city and suburbs before the war. Ukrainian Village anyone?
- Why Chicago? Turns out, the feds made it easier for Ukrainians to settle in the US, and Chicago's existing Ukrainian community makes it a welcoming place. Plus, have you seen the skyline? Pretty hard to resist.
The punchline?
Chicago's Ukrainian population has gotten a serious boost. These newcomers bring with them a rich culture, amazing food (seriously, borscht is magical), and a whole lot of resilience. They're also probably teaching everyone the proper way to pronounce "Kyiv" (it's KEE-iv, not KIEV, people!).
So, next time you're grabbing a hot dog (because, Chicago!), remember there's a good chance the person next to you might be a Ukrainian refugee. Welcome them with open arms (and maybe an offer to share some deep dish). After all, that's what makes Chicago the great city it is.
