Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Columbia, SC
About 19,626 people in the Columbia, SC area speak English less than "very well," across 13 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
19,626
Residents with limited English
13
Languages reported
Spanish
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Columbia, SC
Ranked by the number of speakers who report limited English proficiency, the measure of interpreter need.
| # | Language | Speakers (± margin) | Limited English (count) | Limited English (rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 38,544 ±2K | 14,971 | 38.8% |
| 2 | Chinese (not specified) | 1,547 ±374 | 778 | 50.3% |
| 3 | Gujarati | 2,514 ±744 | 775 | 30.8% |
| 4 | Korean | 2,429 ±908 | 742 | 30.5% |
| 5 | Vietnamese | 1,358 ±661 | 452 | — |
| 6 | German | 2,070 ±498 | 420 | — |
| 7 | French | 1,904 ±422 | 328 | — |
| 8 | Mandarin Chinese | 584 ±141 | 294 | 50.3% |
| 9 | Arabic | 1,573 ±584 | 294 | — |
| 10 | Hindi | 1,529 ±593 | 182 | — |
| 11 | Tagalog | 727 ±239 | 154 | — |
| 12 | Japanese | 568 ±223 | 118 | — |
| 13 | Russian | 741 ±284 | 118 | — |
Limited English means speaking English less than "very well." Counts are the population an interpreter program serves. Margins of error are at the 90 percent confidence level; a rate of "—" means the estimate was suppressed for reliability.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many people in Columbia, SC have limited English proficiency?
- About 19,626 residents of the Columbia, SC metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 13 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Columbia, SC?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are Spanish, Chinese (not specified), and Gujarati. Spanish leads, with about 14,971 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Columbia, SC?
- Spanish, with about 38,544 speakers at home in the Columbia, SC area.