#79 most spoken · language profile
Africa N.E.C. in the United States
An estimated 35,169 people aged 5 and older speak Africa N.E.C. at home across U.S. metropolitan areas. About 29.9% of them, roughly 10,522 people, speak English less than "very well." Interpreter demand is highest where the limited-English population is largest, such as Iowa City, where about 100% of Africa N.E.C. speakers report speaking English less than "very well."
Where Africa N.E.C. is spoken: top metro areas
Ranked by number of speakers at home. 80 additional metro areas have Africa N.E.C. speakers but did not meet Census reliability standards and are not listed.
| # | Metro area | Speakers (± margin) | Limited English | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 6,387 ±2K | 27.7% | 18.9–36.5% |
| 2 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3,357 ±1K | not reliable | — |
| 3 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 1,972 ±782 | not reliable | — |
| 4 | Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 1,554 ±737 | not reliable | — |
| 5 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA | 1,135 ±494 | not reliable | — |
| 6 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 844 ±381 | not reliable | — |
| 7 | Iowa City, IA | 126 ±54 | 100% | 100–100% |
Limited English means speaking English less than "very well." Margins of error are at the 90 percent confidence level. "Range" is the 90 percent confidence interval for the limited-English share.
Help Africa N.E.C. speakers be understood
Every dot on this map is a person who deserves to be understood. Medical, legal, and community interpreters turn that need into access. Training is how you start.
Frequently asked questions
- How many people speak Africa N.E.C. in the United States?
- An estimated 35,169 people aged 5 and older speak Africa N.E.C. at home across U.S. metropolitan areas, based on the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey.
- What share of Africa N.E.C. speakers have limited English proficiency?
- About 29.9 percent, roughly 10,522 people, report speaking English less than "very well." That is the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which U.S. metro area has the most Africa N.E.C. speakers?
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA, with about 6,387 Africa N.E.C. speakers at home.
- Where is Africa N.E.C. interpreter demand highest?
- Demand tracks the size of the limited-English population. Iowa City, IA stands out, where about 100 percent of Africa N.E.C. speakers report speaking English less than "very well."