Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Iowa City, IA
About 8,517 people in the Iowa City, IA area speak English less than "very well," across 10 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
8,517
Residents with limited English
10
Languages reported
Spanish
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Iowa City, IA
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 | 10,601 ±1K | 3,406 | 32.1% |
| 2 | French | 1,985 ±719 | 1,247 | 62.8% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania German | 1,661 ±764 | 829 | — |
| 4 | Chuukese | 603 ±296 | 603 | 100% |
| 5 | Chinese (not specified) | 1,598 ±529 | 591 | — |
| 6 | Korean | 744 ±360 | 514 | — |
| 7 | German | 2,260 ±716 | 512 | — |
| 8 | Arabic | 1,727 ±683 | 466 | 27% |
| 9 | Mandarin Chinese | 603 ±200 | 223 | — |
| 10 | Africa N.E.C. | 126 ±54 | 126 | 100% |
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.
Be the interpreter Iowa City, IA is waiting for
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 in Iowa City, IA have limited English proficiency?
- About 8,517 residents of the Iowa City, IA metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 10 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Iowa City, IA?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are Spanish, French, and Pennsylvania German. Spanish leads, with about 3,406 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Iowa City, IA?
- Spanish, with about 10,601 speakers at home in the Iowa City, IA area.