The United States continues to evolve as a linguistic mosaic, with new census data revealing that nearly 22% of residents aged five and older speak a language other than English at home—double the share from four decades ago. While Spanish remains the dominant non-English language, spoken by about 41.2 million people nationwide, the diversity beyond Spanish paints a vivid picture of America’s complex cultural fabric.
According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data covering the 2017-2021 period, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese are the three most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. after English and Spanish. Approximately 3.5 million people speak a form of Chinese, 1.7 million speak Tagalog, and 1.5 million speak Vietnamese or related languages at home. These figures reflect both historic immigration patterns and ongoing demographic shifts.
But the linguistic landscape varies dramatically across states. In California, for example, a remarkable 44% of residents speak a language other than English at home, showcasing the state’s rich immigrant heritage. Contrast that with West Virginia, where only 2.5% do so. Spanish is the top non-English language in every state except Hawaii, Maine, and Vermont. In Maine and Vermont, French holds that distinction, a nod to the enduring presence of French Canadian communities. Hawaii’s most spoken non-English language is Iloko, spoken by the Ilocano people from the Philippines.
Beyond these prominent languages, the U.S. is home to a fascinating array of tongues reflecting its diverse immigrant and indigenous populations. Arabic, for instance, is the most spoken language after English and Spanish in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, with the Detroit metropolitan area boasting the largest Arabic-speaking population in the country. In Alaska, about one in seven people who speak a language other than English at home use Central Yup'ik, an indigenous language.
Chinese dialects combined rank as the third most spoken language in California, trailing only English and Spanish. It is also the second most common non-English language in Delaware, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington. French, while dominant in Maine and Vermont, is also the second most common non-English language in Louisiana, Maryland, New Hampshire, and North Carolina.
German remains surprisingly resilient in certain regions, being the most spoken language behind English and Spanish in eight states: Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Wyoming. However, its overall numbers have declined from 1.6 million speakers in 1980 to just over 871,000 in 2021.
Florida stands out with nearly half a million Haitian Creole speakers, reflecting its status as home to the nation’s largest Haitian community. The Upper Midwest—Minnesota and Wisconsin—features Hmong as the second most spoken language after English and Spanish, a legacy of refugees who arrived after the Vietnam War in the 1970s.
Korean is the top non-English language in Alabama and Virginia, while South Dakota’s indigenous Lakota dialect holds the same position behind English and Spanish. Arkansas has a notable Marshallese-speaking community, primarily in its northwest region. Arizona and New Mexico share a significant number of Navajo speakers, highlighting the enduring presence of Native American languages in those states.
Polish remains the second most common non-English language in Illinois, especially around Chicago, despite a nationwide decline in speakers. Portuguese ranks as the most spoken language behind English and Spanish in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, and is also prominent in Utah, where missionary ties to Brazil explain its popularity.
Tagalog, the Filipino language, is prevalent in California, Hawaii, and Nevada, while Vietnamese leads as the most popular language after English and Spanish in Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas. This geographic dispersion illustrates how immigrant communities have spread beyond traditional gateway cities into diverse parts of the country.
William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution, underscores this trend: “People of different backgrounds are dispersed to different parts of the country.” He notes that this multilingualism is a long-standing feature of the U.S., despite recent political efforts to emphasize English. Earlier in 2025, then-President Donald Trump issued an executive order designating English as the official language of the United States, a move reflecting ongoing debates about language and identity.
Meanwhile, the use of Native American and Indigenous languages faces challenges. The Census Bureau reports a 6% decline in Native North American language use over the past eight years, signaling concerns about the preservation of these languages. Yet, in four states, these Indigenous languages remain the most popular non-English or Spanish languages, demonstrating their cultural importance.
Interestingly, more than 60% of people who speak a language other than English at home also report speaking English “very well,” highlighting the bilingual or multilingual capabilities of many Americans. This bilingualism often plays out with individuals using their heritage language at home while navigating English in schools, workplaces, and public life.
As the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse linguistically, the nation’s language map reveals much about its history, migration patterns, and cultural resilience. From the streets of Detroit echoing Arabic conversations to the Central Yup'ik speakers in Alaska, the country’s linguistic diversity is both a testament to its immigrant roots and a challenge for policies aiming to balance unity and multiculturalism.
Looking ahead, the persistence and evolution of these languages will shape American society in profound ways. Whether through education, media, or community life, the voices of millions speaking Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and many other languages enrich the American experience, weaving a complex tapestry that defies simple categorization.
