Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Portland, ME
About 5,454 people in the Portland-South Portland, ME area speak English less than "very well," across 8 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
5,454
Residents with limited English
8
Languages reported
French
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Portland, ME
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 | French | 10,704 ±1K | 1,876 | 17.5% |
| 2 | Spanish | 4,926 ±751 | 1,241 | 25.2% |
| 3 | Portuguese | 2,083 ±817 | 868 | 41.7% |
| 4 | Somali | 1,347 ±651 | 545 | — |
| 5 | Lingala | 941 ±358 | 519 | — |
| 6 | Chinese (not specified) | 516 ±245 | 239 | — |
| 7 | Mandarin Chinese | 194 ±93 | 90 | — |
| 8 | German | 1,070 ±366 | 76 | — |
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 Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME have limited English proficiency?
- About 5,454 residents of the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 8 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Portland, ME?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are French, Spanish, and Portuguese. French leads, with about 1,876 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Portland, ME?
- French, with about 10,704 speakers at home in the Portland-South Portland, ME area.