Estimate of Language Skills of U.S. Population Aged Five Years and Older, 2009–2013

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.