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For data on these topics, click on the link: |
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CALIFORNIA
Language & Education
Other facts sheets for California:
The data below describe the state rankings and selected characteristics of the immigrant and native-born populations in California in 2011.
Rankings
The following shows
California's
rankings in several categories. All rankings include the 50 states and the District of
Columbia and are ranked highest to lowest.
| |
Rankings |
| Size of the foreign-born, limited English proficient (LEP)
population, 2011: |
1 out of 51 |
|
Percent of immigrants persons
who are LEP: |
3 out of 51 |
| Share of the foreign-born population with a bachelor’s
or higher degree: |
34 out of 51 |
| Share of the foreign-born population with less than a high
school diploma: |
9 out of 51 |
Data Highlights
For data on these topics, click on the link:
|
Who Are the Foreign Born? |
The term foreign born refers to people residing
in the United States at the time of the census who were not US citizens at
birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful
permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal nonimmigrants (including
those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in
the country without authorization. By comparison, the term native refers
to people residing in the United States who were US citizens in one of three
categories: 1) people born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;
2) people born in United States Insular Areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam;
or 3) people who were born abroad to at least one US-citizen parent.
We use
the terms immigrants and foreign born interchangeably.
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What Does "Limited English Proficient" (LEP) Mean? |
| In this fact sheet, and in any data from the decennial census or American
Community Survey, the term limited English proficient refers to any
person age 5 and older who reported speaking English “not at all,” “not
well,” or “well” on their survey questionnaire. Persons who
speak only English or who report speaking English “very well” are
considered proficient in English. |
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Population by English Proficiency
The foreign-born, limited English proficient (LEP) population age 5 and older in California increased by 15.6 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the number of foreign-born persons age 5 and older in California who were LEP increased from 5,076,072 to 5,865,700, representing a change of 15.6 percent. In comparison, the size of the foreign-born LEP population grew from 3,574,177 to 5,076,072 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 42.0 percent.
At the national level, the size of the foreign-born LEP population increased from 9,120,221 to 15,672,816 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change of 71.8 percent, and grew from 15,672,816 to 20,486,938 (30.7 percent), between 2000 and 2011.
In 2011, 57.8 percent of immigrants age
5 and older in California were LEP.
In 2011, 57.8 percent of California's
total foreign-born population age 5 and older were LEP compared with 57.9 percent in 2000 and 56.4 percent in 1990. Only 3.8 percent of similarly aged native-born persons in California were LEP in 2011.
At the national level, 51.0 percent of the foreign-born population were LEP in 2011, compared to 51.0 percent in 2000, and 47.0 percent in 1990.
In California, 79.0 percent of all children in families that spoke a language other than English reported having oral English proficiency.
In 2011, 3,062,505 children between ages 5 and 17 resided in homes in which members spoke a language other than English; of these children, 79.0 percent spoke English "very well."
Nationwide, 78.1 percent of minors in such families were English proficient.
Note: these families might or might not interact in English at home.
English Proficiency by Citizenship
Naturalized citizens in California were less likely to be LEP than noncitizens.
Of the foreign born in California in 2011, 46.7 percent of naturalized citizens age 5 and older were LEP compared to 67.6 percent of noncitizens.
Similarly, at the national level, 38.9 percent of naturalized citizens were LEP compared to 61.0 percent of noncitizens.
Note: Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
|
Language Groupings |
Indo-European languages include French, Italian, Portuguese, German,
Yiddish, other West Germanic languages, Scandinavian languages, Greek, Russian,
Polish, Serbo-Croatian, other Slavic languages, Armenian, Persian, Gujarathi,
Hindi, and Urdu.
Asian and Pacific Island languages include Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Mon-Khmer/Cambodian, Miao/Hmong, Thai, Laotian, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
Other languages include Navajo, other Native North American languages,
Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, and African languages. |
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English Proficiency by Language Group
Rates of limited English proficiency were higher among speakers of certain language groupings than among others.
Among the foreign born older than 5 in California in 2011, 72.6 percent of those who spoke Spanish at home were LEP compared to 40.5 percent of those who spoke other Indo-European languages, 58.7 percent of those who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 42.8 percent of those who spoke other languages.
At the national level, 70.2 percent of foreign-born persons who spoke Spanish at home were LEP, compared to 42.7 percent of those who spoke other Indo-European languages, 57.3 percent of those who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 40.7 percent of those who spoke other languages.
- Read more about the LEP population, its growth, and linguistic diversity in the nation and all 50 states in
Limited English Proficient Individuals in the United States: Number, Share, Growth, and Linguistic Diversity.
- Find county-level data on the number, share, and linguistic diversity of LEP individuals in
LEP Data Brief compiled by the Migration Policy Institute's National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy. The county-level data offer two different counts - LEP individuals as a percentage of the total county population as well as in absolute numbers - by language or language group across 3,221 counties in the United States (including Puerto Rico). (Note: the national and state-level estimates in the LEP Data Brief might not match exactly the estimates shown in the "Language and Education" Fact Sheet because different years of ACS were used).
Linguistically Isolated Households
Of all of the households in California in 2011, 9.9 percent were linguistically isolated, meaning that all persons age 14 and over in the household were LEP.
In California, 9.9 percent of all households (of both natives and the foreign born) were linguistically isolated in 2011, including 23.1 percent of Spanish-speaking households, 17.3 percent of households speaking other Indo-European languages, 29.2 percent of households speaking Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 18.9 percent of households speaking other languages.
Nationwide, 4.6 percent of household were linguistically isolated. Of Spanish-speaking households, 24.3 percent were linguistically isolated, compared to 15.8 percent of households speaking other Indo-European languages, 27.7 percent of households speaking Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 17.1 percent of households speaking other languages.
Educational Attainment
The number of immigrants in California with a college degree increased by 51.0 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the number of foreign-born persons in California older than 25 who had a bachelor's or higher degree increased from 1,503,172 to 2,269,060,
representing a difference of 51.0 percent. In comparison, the foreign-born, college-educated population grew from 851,258 to 1,503,172 between 1990 and 2000,
a difference of 76.6 percent.
At the national level, the foreign-born population with a bachelor's or higher degree increased from 3,103,918 to 5,862,756 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change
of 88.9 percent, and grew from 5,862,756 to 9,384,596
(60.1 percent) between 2000 and 2011.
The number of immigrants in California with less than a high school diploma increased by 7.1 percent between 2000 and 2011.
Between 2000 and 2011, the number of foreign-born persons older than 25 in California who had not completed high school increased from 3,084,640 to 3,302,415, or 7.1
percent. In comparison, the foreign-born population lacking a high school diploma increased from 2,137,314 to 3,084,640 between 1990 and 2000, a difference of 44.3 percent.
At the national level, the foreign-born population without a high school diploma increased from 6,285,122 to 9,297,557 between 1990 and 2000, representing a change
of 47.9 percent, and grew from 9,297,557 to 10,814,235
(16.3 percent) between 2000 and 2011.
In 2011, 25.3 percent of immigrants in California had a college degree, while 36.9 percent did not complete high school.
In 2011, 25.3 percent of
California's
foreign-born population age 25 and older had a bachelor's or higher degree while 36.9 percent lacked a high school diploma. In comparison, 33.2 percent of native-born persons above age 25 had a bachelor's or higher degree in 2011, and 8.5 percent lacked a high school diploma. In 2000, 21.5 percent of the foreign born in California had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 44.1 percent had less than a high school diploma. In 1990, 18.4 percent had a college degree, and 46.1 percent lacked a high school diploma.
Nationally, 27.3 percent of the foreign-born population age 25 and older had a bachelor's or higher degree in 2011 compared to 24.1 percent in 2000 and 20.3 percent in 1990. At the same time, 31.5 percent of the foreign born at the national level lacked a high school diploma in 2011 compared to 38.2 percent in 2000 and 41.2 percent in 1990.
Of foreign-born persons who were naturalized citizens in 2011, 33.2 percent had a bachelor's or higher degree compared to 17.4 percent of noncitizens.
In California, 33.2 percent of foreign-born persons who were naturalized citizens had a bachelor's or higher degree, compared to 17.4 percent of noncitizens. At the same time, 24.9 percent of naturalized citizens lacked a high school diploma compared to 48.9 percent of noncitizens.
At the national level, 33.4 percent of naturalized citizens and 21.5 percent of noncitizens had a college degree. Further, 21.4 percent of naturalized citizens lacked a high school diploma compared to 41.0 percent of noncitizens.
Note: Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Education by Language Spoken at Home
The educational attainment of all adults in California in 2011 varied by the language spoken at home.
Of the total population (both native and foreign born) age 25 and older in California, 35.2 percent of those who spoke only English at home had a college degree compared to 9.7 percent of those who spoke Spanish, 48.7 percent of those who spoke other Indo-European languages, 44.4 percent of those who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 40.2 percent who spoke other languages.
At the same time, 7.4 percent of those who spoke only English lacked a high school diploma compared to 46.7 percent of those who spoke Spanish, 12.2 percent of those who spoke other Indo-European languages, 16.6 percent of those who spoke Asian and Pacific Island languages, and 16.0 percent who spoke other languages.
|
Table 1. Change in the Limited English Proficient (LEP) Population of California, 1990 to 2011
|
| |
1990 |
2000 |
2011 |
| |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
| Total Household
Population of California, Age 5 and Older |
27,351,298 |
100.0 |
31,416,629 |
100.0 |
35,158,257 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
18,749,565 |
68.6 |
19,014,873 |
60.5 |
19,768,046 |
56.2 |
| Speak language other than
English |
8,601,733 |
31.4 |
12,401,756 |
39.5 |
15,390,211 |
43.8 |
| Speak English "very
well" |
4,194,812 |
15.3 |
6,123,977 |
19.5 |
8,573,540 |
24.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well"(LEP) |
4,406,921 |
16.1 |
6,277,779 |
20.0 |
6,816,671 |
19.4 |
| Native Born |
21,014,236 |
100.0 |
22,654,569 |
100.0 |
25,006,617 |
100.0 |
| Speak
only English |
17,961,014 |
85.5 |
18,056,516 |
79.7 |
18,797,705 |
75.2 |
| Speak language other than
English |
3,053,222 |
14.5 |
4,598,053 |
20.3 |
6,208,912 |
24.8 |
| Speak English "very
well" |
2,220,478 |
10.6 |
3,396,346 |
15.0 |
5,257,941 |
21.0 |
| Speak
English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
832,744 |
4.0 |
1,201,707 |
5.3 |
950,971 |
3.8 |
| Foreign Born |
6,337,062 |
100.0 |
8,762,060 |
100.0 |
10,151,640 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
788,551 |
12.4 |
958,357 |
10.9 |
970,341 |
9.6 |
| Speak language other than
English |
5,548,511 |
87.6 |
7,803,703 |
89.1 |
9,181,299 |
90.4 |
| Speak English "very
well" |
1,974,334 |
31.2 |
2,727,631 |
31.1 |
3,315,599 |
32.7 |
| Speak
English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
3,574,177 |
56.4 |
5,076,072 |
57.9 |
5,865,700 |
57.8 |
| |
| |
Change
1990 to 2000 |
Change
1990 to 2011 |
Change
2000 to 2011 |
| |
Numeric |
Percent |
Numeric |
Percent |
Numeric |
Percent |
| Total Household
Population of California, Age 5 and Older |
4,065,331 |
14.9 |
7,806,959 |
28.5 |
3,741,628 |
11.9 |
| Speak only English |
265,308 |
1.4 |
1,018,481 |
5.4 |
753,173 |
4.0 |
| Speak language other than English |
3,800,023 |
44.2 |
6,788,478 |
78.9 |
2,988,455 |
24.1 |
| Speak English "very well" |
1,929,165 |
46.0 |
4,378,728 |
104.4 |
2,449,563 |
40.0 |
| Speak English less than "very well" (LEP) |
1,870,858 |
42.5 |
2,409,750 |
54.7 |
538,892 |
8.6 |
| Native Born |
1,640,333 |
7.8 |
3,992,381 |
19.0 |
2,352,048 |
10.4 |
| Speak
only English |
95,502 |
0.5 |
836,691 |
4.7 |
741,189 |
4.1 |
| Speak
language other than English |
1,544,831 |
50.6 |
3,155,690 |
103.4 |
1,610,859 |
35.0 |
| Speak
English "very well" |
1,175,868 |
53.0 |
3,037,463 |
136.8 |
1,861,595 |
54.8 |
| Speak
English less than "very well" (LEP) |
368,963 |
44.3 |
118,227 |
14.2 |
-250,736 |
-20.9 |
| Foreign Born |
2,424,998 |
38.3 |
3,814,578 |
60.2 |
1,389,580 |
15.9 |
| Speak
only English |
169,806 |
21.5 |
181,790 |
23.1 |
11,984 |
1.3 |
| Speak
language other than English |
2,255,192 |
40.6 |
3,632,788 |
65.5 |
1,377,596 |
17.7 |
| Speak
English "very well" |
753,297 |
38.2 |
1,341,265 |
67.9 |
587,968 |
21.6 |
| Speak
English less than "very well" (LEP) |
1,501,895 |
42.0 |
2,291,523 |
64.1 |
789,628 |
15.6 |
|
|
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); 2000
Decennial Census; Steven Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, et al.,
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 3.0 [IPUMS 1990 5%] (Minneapolis, MN:
Minnesota Population Center, 2011).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error,
click here. |
|
Table 2. Change in the Educational Attainment of the Foreign Born, 1990 to 2011
|
| |
1990 |
2000 |
2011 |
| |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
Number |
Percent |
| Total Household
Population of California, Age 25 and Older |
18,680,169 |
100.0 |
21,311,600 |
100.0 |
24,443,872 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
4,445,653 |
23.8 |
4,941,108 |
23.2 |
4,622,091 |
18.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
4,361,106 |
23.3 |
5,683,541 |
26.7 |
7,406,320 |
30.3 |
| Native Born |
14,044,712 |
100.0 |
14,310,486 |
100.0 |
15,483,124 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
2,308,339 |
16.4 |
1,856,468 |
13.0 |
1,319,676 |
8.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
3,509,848 |
25.0 |
4,180,369 |
29.2 |
5,137,260 |
33.2 |
| Foreign Born |
4,635,457 |
100.0 |
7,001,114 |
100.0 |
8,960,748 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
2,137,314 |
46.1 |
3,084,640 |
44.1 |
3,302,415 |
36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
851,258 |
18.4 |
1,503,172 |
21.5 |
2,269,060 |
25.3 |
|
| |
Change
1990 to 2000 |
Change
1990 to 2011 |
Change
2000 to 2011 |
| |
Numeric |
Percent |
Numeric |
Percent |
Numeric |
Percent |
| Total Household
Population of California, Age 25 and Older |
2,631,431 |
14.1 |
5,763,703 |
30.9 |
3,132,272 |
14.7 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
495,455 |
11.1 |
176,438 |
4.0 |
-319,017 |
-6.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
1,322,435 |
30.3 |
3,045,214 |
69.8 |
1,722,779 |
30.3 |
| Native Born |
265,774 |
1.9 |
1,438,412 |
10.2 |
1,172,638 |
8.2 |
| Less than high school diploma |
-451,871 |
-19.6 |
-988,663 |
-42.8 |
-536,792 |
-28.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher |
670,521 |
19.1 |
1,627,412 |
46.4 |
956,891 |
22.9 |
| Foreign Born |
2,365,657 |
51.0 |
4,325,291 |
93.3 |
1,959,634 |
28.0 |
| Less than high school diploma |
947,326 |
44.3 |
1,165,101 |
54.5 |
217,775 |
7.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher |
651,914 |
76.6 |
1,417,802 |
166.6 |
765,888 |
51.0 |
|
|
Sources: US Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey (ACS); Steven
Ruggles, Matthew Sobek, Trent Alexander, et al.,
Integrated Public Use Microdata Series: Version 3.0 [IPUMS 1990 and 2000
5%] (Minneapolis, MN:
Minnesota Population Center, 2011).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error,
click here. |
|
Table 3. Limited English Proficient
Populations by Citizenship Status, 2011
|
| Total Household Population of California, Age 5 and
Older |
35,158,257 |
| Speak only English |
56.2 |
| Speak language other than English |
43.8 |
| Speak English "very well" |
24.4 |
| Speak English less than "very well" (LEP) |
19.4 |
| Native Born |
25,006,617 |
| Speak
only English |
75.2 |
| Speak
language other than English |
24.8 |
| Speak
English "very well" |
21.0 |
| Speak
English less than "very well" (LEP) |
3.8 |
| Foreign Born |
10,151,640 |
| Speak
only English |
9.6 |
| Speak
language other than English |
90.4 |
| Speak
English "very well" |
32.7 |
| Speak
English less than "very well" (LEP) |
57.8 |
| Noncitizen1 |
5,388,032 |
| Speak only English |
6.6 |
| Speak language other
than English |
93.4 |
| Speak English "very
well" |
25.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
67.6 |
| Naturalized
Citizen1 |
4,763,608 |
| Speak
only English |
13.0 |
| Speak
language other than English |
87.0 |
| Speak
English "very well" |
40.3 |
| Speak
English less than "very well" (LEP) |
46.7 |
|
|
Notes:
1. Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (different years, see Note 1 above).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error,
click here. |
|
Table 4. Educational Attainment by
Citizenship Status
|
| Total Household Population of California, Age 25
and Older |
24,443,872 |
| Less than high school diploma |
18.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher |
30.3 |
| Native Born |
15,483,124 |
| Less than high school diploma |
8.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher |
33.2 |
| Foreign Born |
8,960,748 |
| Less than high school diploma |
36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher |
25.3 |
| Noncitizen1 |
4,447,750 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
48.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
17.4 |
| Naturalized
Citizen1 |
4,512,998 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
24.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or
higher |
33.2 |
|
|
Notes:
1. Data for Alaska, Maine, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau's pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for North Dakota and Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (different years, see Note 1 above).
(ACS).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error,
click here. |
|
Table 5. Language and Educational
Characteristics of the Household Population
in California, 2011
|
| |
Number |
Percent |
| EDUCATIONAL
ATTAINMENT BY LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME |
| Total Household Population, Age
25 and Older |
24,443,872 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
13,982,781 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
1,029,369 |
7.4 |
| High school diploma
(includes equivalency) |
2,983,435 |
21.3 |
| Some college or associate's
degree |
5,044,318 |
36.1 |
| Bachelor's degree |
4,925,659 |
35.2 |
| Speak Spanish |
6,362,800 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
2,968,933 |
46.7 |
| High school diploma
(includes equivalency) |
1,498,193 |
23.5 |
| Some college or associate's
degree |
1,276,956 |
20.1 |
| Bachelor's degree |
618,718 |
9.7 |
| Speak Other Indo-European Languages |
1,237,123 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
151,031 |
12.2 |
| High school diploma
(includes equivalency) |
197,978 |
16.0 |
| Some college or associate's
degree |
285,841 |
23.1 |
| Bachelor's degree |
602,273 |
48.7 |
| Speak Asian and Pacific Island
Languages |
2,629,734 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
435,737 |
16.6 |
| High school diploma
(includes equivalency) |
428,722 |
16.3 |
| Some college or associate's
degree |
598,668 |
22.8 |
| Bachelor's degree |
1,166,607 |
44.4 |
| Speak Other Languages |
231,434 |
100.0 |
| Less than high school
diploma |
37,021 |
16.0 |
| High school diploma
(includes equivalency) |
42,666 |
18.4 |
| Some college or associate's
degree |
58,684 |
25.4 |
| Bachelor's degree |
93,063 |
40.2 |
| ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
BY NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME |
| Total Household Population,
Age 5 and Older |
35,158,257 |
100.0 |
| Native Born |
25,006,617 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
18,797,705 |
75.2 |
| Speak language other than English |
6,208,912 |
24.8 |
| Speak Spanish |
4,945,522 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
4,180,565 |
84.5 |
| Speak English "well" |
574,262 |
11.6 |
| Speak English "not well" |
159,425 |
3.2 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
31,270 |
0.6 |
| Speak Other Indo-European Languages |
440,241 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
395,318 |
89.8 |
| Speak English "well" |
29,127 |
6.6 |
| Speak English "not well" |
14,295 |
3.2 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
1,501 |
0.3 |
| Speak Asian or Pacific Island Languages |
733,878 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
602,157 |
82.1 |
| Speak English "well" |
93,670 |
12.8 |
| Speak English "not well" |
34,803 |
4.7 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
3,248 |
0.4 |
| Speak Other Languages |
89,271 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
79,901 |
89.5 |
| Speak English "well" |
6,115 |
6.8 |
| Speak English "not well" |
3,106 |
3.5 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
149 |
0.2 |
| Foreign Born |
10,151,640 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
970,341 |
9.6 |
| Speak language other than English |
9,181,299 |
90.4 |
| Speak Spanish |
5,179,033 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
1,418,161 |
27.4 |
| Speak English "well" |
1,185,391 |
22.9 |
| Speak English "not well" |
1,587,284 |
30.6 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
988,197 |
19.1 |
| Speak Other Indo-European Languages |
1,134,758 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
674,701 |
59.5 |
| Speak English "well" |
259,667 |
22.9 |
| Speak English "not well" |
146,821 |
12.9 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
53,569 |
4.7 |
| Speak Asian or Pacific Island Languages |
2,633,779 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
1,089,055 |
41.3 |
| Speak English "well" |
769,584 |
29.2 |
| Speak English "not well" |
577,032 |
21.9 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
198,108 |
7.5 |
| Speak Other Languages |
233,729 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
133,682 |
57.2 |
| Speak English "well" |
61,108 |
26.1 |
| Speak English "not well" |
29,400 |
12.6 |
| Speak English "not at all" |
9,539 |
4.1 |
| ENGLISH PROFICIENCY BY AGE AND
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME |
| Total Household Population,
Age 5 and Older |
35,158,257 |
100.0 |
| Ages 5 to 17 |
6,733,781 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
3,671,276 |
54.5 |
| Speak language other than English |
3,062,505 |
45.5 |
| Speak English “very well” |
2,418,500 |
35.9 |
| Speak English less than “very
well” (LEP) |
644,005 |
9.6 |
| Speak Spanish |
2,387,446 |
35.5 |
| Speak English "very well" |
1,885,869 |
28.0 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
501,577 |
7.4 |
| Speak Other Indo-European
Languages |
199,400 |
3.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
170,320 |
2.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" |
29,080 |
0.4 |
| Speak Asian and Pacific
Island Languages |
421,181 |
6.3 |
| Speak English "very well" |
317,279 |
4.7 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
103,902 |
1.5 |
| Speak Other Languages |
54,478 |
0.8 |
| Speak English "very well" |
45,032 |
0.7 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
9,446 |
0.1 |
| Ages 18 to 64 |
24,026,423 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
13,219,366 |
55.0 |
| Speak language other than English |
10,807,057 |
45.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
5,647,218 |
23.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
5,159,839 |
21.5 |
| Speak Spanish |
7,043,015 |
29.3 |
| Speak English "very well" |
3,475,847 |
14.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
3,567,168 |
14.8 |
| Speak Other Indo-European
Languages |
1,089,693 |
4.5 |
| Speak English "very well" |
767,883 |
3.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
321,810 |
1.3 |
| Speak Asian and Pacific
Island Languages |
2,445,870 |
10.2 |
| Speak English "very well" |
1,249,484 |
5.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
1,196,386 |
5.0 |
| Speak Other Languages |
228,479 |
1.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
154,004 |
0.6 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
74,475 |
0.3 |
| Age 65 and Older |
4,398,053 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
2,877,404 |
65.4 |
| Speak language other than English |
1,520,649 |
34.6 |
| Speak English "very well" |
507,822 |
11.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
1,012,827 |
23.0 |
| Speak Spanish |
694,094 |
15.8 |
| Speak English "very well" |
237,010 |
5.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
457,084 |
10.4 |
| Speak Other Indo-European
Languages |
285,906 |
6.5 |
| Speak English "very well" |
131,816 |
3.0 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
154,090 |
3.5 |
| Speak Asian and Pacific
Island Languages |
500,606 |
11.4 |
| Speak English "very well" |
124,449 |
2.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
376,157 |
8.6 |
| Speak Other Languages |
40,043 |
0.9 |
| Speak English "very well" |
14,547 |
0.3 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
25,496 |
0.6 |
| LINGUISTIC ISOLATION BY
LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN HOUSEHOLD |
| All Households |
12,468,743 |
100.0 |
| Linguistically isolated |
1,235,053 |
9.9 |
| Not linguistically isolated |
11,233,690 |
90.1 |
| Speak
only English |
7,250,323 |
100.0 |
| Speak Spanish |
3,095,000 |
100.0 |
| Linguistically isolated |
715,761 |
23.1 |
| Not linguistically isolated |
2,379,239 |
76.9 |
| Speak Other Indo-European Languages |
730,084 |
100.0 |
| Linguistically isolated |
126,512 |
17.3 |
| Not linguistically isolated |
603,572 |
82.7 |
| Speak Asian and Pacific Island Languages |
1,259,681 |
100.0 |
| Linguistically isolated |
367,569 |
29.2 |
| Not linguistically isolated |
892,112 |
70.8 |
| Speak Other Languages |
133,655 |
100.0 |
| Linguistically isolated |
25,211 |
18.9 |
| Not linguistically isolated |
108,444 |
81.1 |
| LANGUAGE
OTHER THAN ENGLISH SPOKEN AT HOME |
| Total Household Population,
Age 5 and Older |
35,158,257 |
100.0 |
| Speak language other than English |
15,390,211 |
100.0 |
| Spanish or Spanish Creole |
10,124,555 |
65.8 |
| French (including Patois and Cajun) |
119,345 |
0.8 |
| French Creole |
6,096 |
0.0 |
| Italian |
62,011 |
0.4 |
| Portuguese or Portuguese Creole |
75,502 |
0.5 |
| German |
110,583 |
0.7 |
| Yiddish |
4,329 |
0.0 |
| Other West Germanic languages |
26,640 |
0.2 |
| Scandinavian languages |
25,401 |
0.2 |
| Greek |
21,986 |
0.1 |
| Russian |
149,108 |
1.0 |
| Polish |
21,152 |
0.1 |
| Serbo-Croatian |
25,373 |
0.2 |
| Other Slavic languages |
38,618 |
0.3 |
| Armenian |
199,929 |
1.3 |
| Persian |
200,504 |
1.3 |
| Gujarathi |
45,243 |
0.3 |
| Hindi |
151,077 |
1.0 |
| Urdu |
48,048 |
0.3 |
| Other Indic languages |
192,841 |
1.3 |
| Other Indo-European languages |
51,213 |
0.3 |
| Chinese |
1,058,952 |
6.9 |
| Japanese |
140,838 |
0.9 |
| Korean |
377,455 |
2.5 |
| Mon-Khmer, Cambodian |
82,757 |
0.5 |
| Hmong |
70,369 |
0.5 |
| Thai |
46,812 |
0.3 |
| Laotian |
40,418 |
0.3 |
| Vietnamese |
522,272 |
3.4 |
| Other Asian languages |
151,592 |
1.0 |
| Tagalog |
755,063 |
4.9 |
| Other Pacific Island languages |
121,129 |
0.8 |
| Navajo |
1,156 |
0.0 |
| Other Native North American languages |
6,489 |
0.0 |
| Hungarian |
13,309 |
0.1 |
| Arabic |
156,813 |
1.0 |
| Hebrew |
39,138 |
0.3 |
| African languages |
66,052 |
0.4 |
| Other and unspecified languages |
40,043 |
0.3 |
| ENGLISH PROFICIENCY BY
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME |
| Total Household Population,
Age 5 and Older |
35,158,257 |
100.0 |
| Speak only English |
19,768,046 |
56.2 |
| Speak language other than English |
15,390,211 |
43.8 |
| Spanish or Spanish Creole |
10,124,555 |
100.00 |
| Speak English "very well" |
5,598,726 |
55.3 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
4,525,829 |
44.7 |
| French (Including Patois and Cajun) |
119,345 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
99,800 |
83.6 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
19,545 |
16.4 |
| French Creole |
6,096 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
5,486 |
90.0 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
610 |
10.0 |
| Italian |
62,011 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
48,429 |
78.1 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
13,582 |
21.9 |
| Portuguese or Portuguese Creole |
75,502 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
54,383 |
72.0 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
21,119 |
28.0 |
| German |
110,583 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
94,464 |
85.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
16,119 |
14.6 |
| Yiddish |
4,329 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
3,494 |
80.7 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
835 |
19.3 |
| Other West Germanic Languages |
26,640 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
23,772 |
89.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
2,868 |
10.8 |
| Scandinavian Languages |
25,401 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
22,679 |
89.3 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
2,722 |
10.7 |
| Greek |
21,986 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
16,980 |
77.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
5,006 |
22.8 |
| Russian |
149,108 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
78,716 |
52.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
70,392 |
47.2 |
| Polish |
21,152 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
15,369 |
72.7 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
5,783 |
27.3 |
| Serbo-Croatian |
25,373 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
18,823 |
74.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
6,550 |
25.8 |
| Other Slavic Languages |
38,618 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
23,485 |
60.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
15,133 |
39.2 |
| Armenian |
199,929 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
102,306 |
51.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
97,623 |
48.8 |
| Persian |
200,504 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
122,658 |
61.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
77,846 |
38.8 |
| Gujarathi |
45,243 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
31,576 |
69.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
13,667 |
30.2 |
| Hindi |
151,077 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
119,668 |
79.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
31,409 |
20.8 |
| Urdu |
48,048 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
36,474 |
75.9 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
11,574 |
24.1 |
| Other Indic Languages |
192,841 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
116,708 |
60.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
76,133 |
39.5 |
| Other Indo-European Languages |
51,213 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
34,749 |
67.9 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
16,464 |
32.1 |
| Chinese |
1,058,952 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
457,570 |
43.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
601,382 |
56.8 |
| Japanese |
140,838 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
79,609 |
56.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
61,229 |
43.5 |
| Korean |
377,455 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
156,596 |
41.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
220,859 |
58.5 |
| Mon-Khmer, Cambodian |
82,757 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
39,696 |
48.0 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
43,061 |
52.0 |
| Hmong |
70,369 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
36,150 |
51.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
34,219 |
48.6 |
| Thai |
46,812 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
17,515 |
37.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
29,297 |
62.6 |
| Laotian |
40,418 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
19,720 |
48.8 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
20,698 |
51.2 |
| Vietnamese |
522,272 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
208,408 |
39.9 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
313,864 |
60.1 |
| Other Asian Languages |
151,592 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
105,263 |
69.4 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
46,329 |
30.6 |
| Tagalog |
755,063 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
492,334 |
65.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
262,729 |
34.8 |
| Other Pacific Island Languages |
121,129 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
78,351 |
64.7 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
42,778 |
35.3 |
| Navajo |
1,156 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
901 |
77.9 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
255 |
22.1 |
| Other Native North American Languages |
6,489 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
6,002 |
92.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
487 |
7.5 |
| Hungarian |
13,309 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
9,200 |
69.1 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
4,109 |
30.9 |
| Arabic |
156,813 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
96,404 |
61.5 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
60,409 |
38.5 |
| Hebrew |
39,138 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
32,319 |
82.6 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
6,819 |
17.4 |
| African Languages |
66,052 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
45,687 |
69.2 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
20,365 |
30.8 |
| Other and unspecified Languages |
40,043 |
100.0 |
| Speak English "very well" |
23,070 |
57.6 |
| Speak English less than "very
well" (LEP) |
16,973 |
42.4 |
|
|
Notes:
A household is “linguistically isolated” if all adults (14 and older) speak a language other than English and none speaks English “very well.”
1. Data for Alaska, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are from the US Census Bureau’s pooled 2009-2011 ACS and for Wyoming are from 2007-2011 ACS. For the United States and the rest of the states the data are from 2011 ACS.
Sources: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), different years (see Note 1 above).
For information about ACS methodology,sampling error, and nonsampling error,
click here. |
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For data on these topics, click on the link: |
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