Nearly 80% of Americans Speak Only English at Home; Most Bilinguals Speak English “Very Well”

Over three-quarters (78.3%) of the nation age 5 and older spoke only English at home, according to newly released  American Community Survey (ACS), 5-year estimates. This is a decrease from 78.7% in 2013-2017, the most recent non-overlapping five-year period. Among those that spoke a language other than English in 2018-2022, Spanish (61.1%), Chinese (which includes all dialects) (5.1%), and Tagalog (including Filipino) (2.5%) were the three most spoken languages at home. Among the population age 5 and older that spoke a language other than English at home, 61.0% of Spanish speakers, 48.2% of Chinese speakers (which includes all dialects), and 69.8% of Tagalog (including Filipino) speakers spoke English “very well.”

“English remains the most commonly spoken language,” said Adrienne Griffiths, survey statistician in the Education and Social Stratification Branch. “Across most age groups, the majority of the population who spoke a language other than English at home still spoke English very well.”

Among specific age groups that spoke a language other than English at home:

• In 2018-2022, 70.0% of those ages 5-17 spoke Spanish. Of these Spanish speakers, 79.8% spoke English “very well.” In comparison, in 2013-2017, 72.0% of those ages 5-17 spoke Spanish, and 80.3% of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”
• In 2018-2022, 61.0% of those ages 18-64 spoke Spanish. Of these Spanish speakers, 58.3% spoke English “very well.” In comparison, in 2013-2017, 61.6% of those ages 18-64 spoke Spanish, and 54.8% of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”
• In 2018-2022, 49.0% of those age 65 and older spoke Spanish. Of these Spanish speakers, 41.6% spoke English “very well.” In comparison, in 2013-2017, 47.3% of those age 65 and older spoke Spanish, and 38.0% of these Spanish speakers spoke English “very well.”

The American Community Survey (ACS) is an ongoing survey that provides vital information on a yearly basis about our nation and its people. Information from the survey generates data that help inform how trillions of dollars in federal funds are distributed each year.