Canadian American

A Canadian American is someone who was born or grew up in Canada then moved to the United States. The term is particularly apt when applied or self-applied to people with strong ties to Canada, such as those who have lived a significant portion of their lives, or were educated, in Canada, and then relocated to the United States. To others, especially for those living in New England or the Mid-Western States, a Canadian-American is one whose ancestors came from Canada.

The term Canadian refers to some as nationality, and to others as ethnicity. English-speaking Canadian immigrants easily integrate and assimilate into American culture and society as a result of the cultural similarities and in the vocabulary and accent in spoken English. French-speaking Canadians, because of language, culture, and religion, tend to take longer to assimilate. However, by the 3rd generation, the assimilation is complete, and the Canadian identity is more or less folklore. This took place, even though half of the population of the Quebec province immigrated to the US between 1840 and 1930. Many New England cities formed Little Canadas, but much of this has gradually disappeared. A revival of the Canadian identity has taken place in the mid-western states, where Canadian Americans are older than 7–8 generations. These states had been part of Canada up until 1783. A return to their roots seems to be taking place, with a hi greater interest in all things that are Canadian.

This cultural "invisibility" within the larger U.S. population is seen as creating stronger affinity amongst Canadians living in the U.S. than might otherwise exist. According to U.S. Census estimates the number of Americans of Canadian ancestry was around 640,000 in 2000.

Canadians who travel to the U.S. to escape their colder winter are known as "snowbirds". They sometimes have residences in the Southern half of the U.S. (e.g. Florida, the Carolinas, Southern Texas, Southern California, and Arizona).