One in five people living in the U.S. (55.4 million or 20%) spoke a language other than English at home in 2007, according to the most recent data available from the U.S. Census Bureau. However, that does not mean they do not speak English. In fact, 56% of those who speak a language other than English at home speak English very well, and another 20% speak it well.
Those aged 18-40 (24%) are the most likely to speak a language other than English at home, followed by those aged 5-17 (21%), aged 41-64 (17%), and aged 65 and older (14%).
The states with the highest proportions of people who speak a language other than English at home are:
• California (43%);
• New Mexico (36%);
• Texas (34%);
• Arizona (29%); and
• New York (29%).
The proportion of the population that spoke a language other than English at home grew 140% between 1980 and 2007, compared to a 34% increase in the overall population.
Spanish was the most common foreign language spoken in U.S. households, with 34.5 million speakers, an increase of 211% between 1980 and 2007. However, other languages are increasing more rapidly, including:
• Vietnamese, with 1.2 million speakers (up 511%);
• Russian, with 851,000 speakers (up 391%);
• Korean, with 1.1 million speakers (up 299%);
• Chinese, with 2.5 million speakers (up 291%); and
• Persian, with 350,000 speakers (up 227%). [Demographics]
Source: “Language Use In The U.S., 2007,” U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office, 400 Silver Hill Rd., Washington, DC 20233; 301-763-3030; pio@census.gov; www.census.gov. Price: Available online at no charge.
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