The Estonian people migrated from Estonia, a country bordered on the north by the Gulf of Finland, on the east by Lake Peipus and Russia, on the south by Latvia, and on the west by the Baltic Sea. The majority of Estonians migrated to North America during World War II. However, a new wave of Estonians have migrated in the past twenty years.

Many of these recent arrivals have revived Estonian culture within North America. They speak Estonian and advocate the development of associations, especially in metro areas where their population is larger. It is estimated that about one third of all Estonians still speak Estonia at home. It is within these associations that Estonian culture and language is learned, advocated, and maintained. Thus, their Estonian identity is maintained and reinforced. One such association is the Estonian American National Council, headquartered in the New York metro area.

The majority of Estonians claim Orthodox Christianity as their religion. However, many are non-religious.