Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Phoenix, AZ
About 376,928 people in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area speak English less than "very well," across 59 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
376,928
Residents with limited English
59
Languages reported
Spanish
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Phoenix, AZ
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 | 902,793 ±10K | 296,158 | 32.8% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 20,782 ±2K | 10,903 | 52.5% |
| 3 | Chinese (not specified) | 17,643 ±1K | 8,396 | 47.6% |
| 4 | Arabic | 20,688 ±2K | 6,960 | 33.6% |
| 5 | Korean | 10,056 ±1K | 3,978 | 39.6% |
| 6 | Tagalog | 14,614 ±1K | 3,701 | 25.3% |
| 7 | Mandarin Chinese | 6,659 ±563 | 3,169 | 47.6% |
| 8 | Japanese | 6,052 ±923 | 2,335 | 38.6% |
| 9 | Swahili | 6,710 ±1K | 2,188 | 32.6% |
| 10 | Persian | 5,975 ±1K | 2,132 | 35.7% |
| 11 | Navajo | 9,563 ±1K | 2,128 | 22.3% |
| 12 | Romanian | 7,247 ±2K | 2,050 | 28.3% |
| 13 | Lingala | 3,736 ±1K | 1,900 | 50.9% |
| 14 | French | 12,603 ±2K | 1,786 | 14.2% |
| 15 | Hindi | 12,829 ±2K | 1,757 | 13.7% |
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 Phoenix, AZ have limited English proficiency?
- About 376,928 residents of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 59 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Phoenix, AZ?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese (not specified). Spanish leads, with about 296,158 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Phoenix, AZ?
- Spanish, with about 902,793 speakers at home in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area.