Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Madison, WI
About 21,146 people in the Madison, WI area speak English less than "very well," across 15 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
21,146
Residents with limited English
15
Languages reported
Spanish
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Madison, WI
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 | 32,777 ±3K | 13,985 | 42.7% |
| 2 | Chinese (not specified) | 5,111 ±973 | 2,253 | 44.1% |
| 3 | Mandarin Chinese | 1,929 ±367 | 850 | 44.1% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania German | 1,614 ±432 | 690 | 42.8% |
| 5 | Hmong | 3,024 ±948 | 673 | — |
| 6 | German | 3,424 ±670 | 589 | 17.2% |
| 7 | Korean | 1,349 ±591 | 526 | — |
| 8 | Hindi | 2,358 ±1K | 279 | — |
| 9 | Russian | 1,735 ±749 | 260 | — |
| 10 | Telugu | 1,890 ±795 | 220 | — |
| 11 | French | 1,317 ±399 | 204 | — |
| 12 | Polish | 711 ±311 | 204 | — |
| 13 | Portuguese | 834 ±393 | 189 | — |
| 14 | Arabic | 664 ±273 | 156 | — |
| 15 | Italian | 408 ±198 | 68 | — |
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 Madison, WI is waiting for
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Frequently asked questions
- How many people in Madison, WI have limited English proficiency?
- About 21,146 residents of the Madison, WI metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 15 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Madison, WI?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are Spanish, Chinese (not specified), and Mandarin Chinese. Spanish leads, with about 13,985 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Madison, WI?
- Spanish, with about 32,777 speakers at home in the Madison, WI area.