Metro language profile
Languages spoken in Providence, RI-MA
About 136,016 people in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA area speak English less than "very well," across 31 languages. These tables show which languages those residents speak and where interpreter demand is highest.
136,016
Residents with limited English
31
Languages reported
Spanish
Most spoken besides English
Languages by interpreter demand in Providence, RI-MA
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 | 175,672 ±4K | 75,949 | 43.2% |
| 2 | Portuguese | 78,753 ±4K | 30,688 | 39% |
| 3 | Haitian | 13,140 ±2K | 4,396 | 33.5% |
| 4 | Kabuverdianu | 9,781 ±2K | 4,285 | 43.8% |
| 5 | Khmer (Cambodian) | 5,499 ±1K | 2,659 | 48.4% |
| 6 | Chinese (not specified) | 5,865 ±798 | 2,608 | 44.5% |
| 7 | French | 10,604 ±1K | 2,245 | 21.2% |
| 8 | Arabic | 4,938 ±1K | 1,648 | 33.4% |
| 9 | Lao | 2,781 ±947 | 1,283 | 46.1% |
| 10 | Vietnamese | 2,075 ±632 | 1,074 | 51.8% |
| 11 | Mandarin Chinese | 2,214 ±301 | 984 | 44.5% |
| 12 | Italian | 4,820 ±878 | 932 | 19.3% |
| 13 | Russian | 2,950 ±941 | 888 | 30.1% |
| 14 | Tagalog | 2,198 ±544 | 870 | 39.6% |
| 15 | Polish | 2,699 ±715 | 740 | 27.4% |
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 Providence, RI-MA 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 Providence, RI-MA have limited English proficiency?
- About 136,016 residents of the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area speak English less than "very well," across the 31 languages reported there. They are the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which languages have the highest interpreter demand in Providence, RI-MA?
- By number of residents with limited English proficiency, the top languages are Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian. Spanish leads, with about 75,949 people who speak English less than "very well."
- What is the most spoken language other than English in Providence, RI-MA?
- Spanish, with about 175,672 speakers at home in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA area.