The first significant wave of Latvian people emigrated to North America in 1888 to Boston. They were mainly single young men who came to the United States looking for fortunes or fleeing mandatory military service of Imperial Russia. By the end of century, those Latvians immigrants settled primarily in other East Coast and Midwest cities, such as New York, Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago, as well as in some cities on the West Coast, such as Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco.

However, the largest wave of Latvian immigrants came to North America after World War II looking for a better life and work.

Many Latvians have a strong connection with Latvia. For instance, many often travel to Latvia and provide financial support and give material to various organizations. Some Latvians sit on the Parliament in Latvia.

There are larger populations in the United States of California, New York, Illinois, Florida and Michigan.

Latvians speak English, but often they still maintain speaking Latvia (also known as Lettish) in their home. Moreover, Latvians have kept alive their Latvian cultural heritage with many second, third or fourth generation persons able to converse in the Latvian language.

Historically, Latvian people come from a Lutheran background, but many today are in name only Lutheran. As a result, the majority now are non-religious, while some now adhere to Roman Catholicism and also others who adhere to Judaism.