The State of Languages in the U.S.: A Statistical Portrait
Estimate of Language Skills of U.S. Population Aged Five Years and Older, 2009–2013
![Estimate of Language Skills of U.S. Population Aged Five Years and Older, 2009–2013 Estimate of Language Skills of U.S. Population Aged Five Years and Older, 2009–2013](/sites/default/files/styles/article_image_1x/public/media/images/state-of-languages-page4.jpg.webp?itok=ZzKTedde)
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that more than 60 million residents over the age of five years old, or about 20% of the U.S. population, speak a language other than English at home. However, research from outside the federal government suggests that only about half that number, or 10% of the U.S. population, speaks a language other than English proficiently. Most are heritage language speakers. Of those who speak a language other than English at home, 57% were foreign born and 43% were born in the United States. The latter are primarily U.S.-born children of immigrants.