#44 most spoken · language profile
Pennsylvania German in the United States
An estimated 129,414 people aged 5 and older speak Pennsylvania German at home across U.S. metropolitan areas. About 30.8% of them, roughly 39,816 people, speak English less than "very well." Interpreter demand is highest where the limited-English population is largest, such as Pittsburgh, where about 48.9% of Pennsylvania German speakers report speaking English less than "very well."
Where Pennsylvania German is spoken: top metro areas
Ranked by number of speakers at home. 93 additional metro areas have Pennsylvania German speakers but did not meet Census reliability standards and are not listed.
| # | Metro area | Speakers (± margin) | Limited English | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster, PA | 20,749 ±3K | 31.1% | 25.7–36.5% |
| 2 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 7,440 ±2K | 24.6% | 16.4–32.8% |
| 3 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6,276 ±2K | not reliable | — |
| 4 | Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | 5,048 ±1K | 33.6% | 25.8–41.4% |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | 4,238 ±1K | 45.6% | 34.3–56.9% |
| 6 | Wheeling, WV-OH | 3,744 ±1K | 22.6% | 13.5–31.6% |
| 7 | Columbus, OH | 3,507 ±1K | 21.5% | 13.5–29.5% |
| 8 | Eau Claire, WI | 3,397 ±815 | 30.6% | 23.4–37.8% |
| 9 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 3,104 ±903 | 25.3% | 17.3–33.2% |
| 10 | Clarksville, TN-KY | 2,957 ±1K | 36% | 20.3–51.7% |
| 11 | Bowling Green, KY | 2,666 ±1K | 32.7% | 20.2–45.2% |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | 2,605 ±655 | 48.9% | 38.6–59.2% |
| 13 | Williamsport, PA | 2,329 ±761 | 24.4% | 16.4–32.5% |
| 14 | Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI | 2,066 ±724 | 44.3% | 32–56.6% |
| 15 | Reading, PA | 2,041 ±710 | not reliable | — |
| 16 | State College, PA | 2,010 ±653 | 14.2% | 7–21.4% |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,925 ±908 | 25.1% | 12.2–38.1% |
| 18 | Iowa City, IA | 1,661 ±764 | not reliable | — |
| 19 | Madison, WI | 1,614 ±432 | 42.8% | 33.8–51.7% |
| 20 | Jefferson City, MO | 1,268 ±446 | not reliable | — |
| 21 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 1,148 ±492 | not reliable | — |
| 22 | Altoona, PA | 969 ±328 | 38.1% | 26.7–49.5% |
| 23 | Mansfield, OH | 967 ±447 | not reliable | — |
Limited English means speaking English less than "very well." Margins of error are at the 90 percent confidence level. "Range" is the 90 percent confidence interval for the limited-English share.
Help Pennsylvania German speakers be understood
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Frequently asked questions
- How many people speak Pennsylvania German in the United States?
- An estimated 129,414 people aged 5 and older speak Pennsylvania German at home across U.S. metropolitan areas, based on the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey.
- What share of Pennsylvania German speakers have limited English proficiency?
- About 30.8 percent, roughly 39,816 people, report speaking English less than "very well." That is the population professional interpreters serve.
- Which U.S. metro area has the most Pennsylvania German speakers?
- Lancaster, PA, with about 20,749 Pennsylvania German speakers at home.
- Where is Pennsylvania German interpreter demand highest?
- Demand tracks the size of the limited-English population. Pittsburgh, PA stands out, where about 48.9 percent of Pennsylvania German speakers report speaking English less than "very well."