The United States draws people from many countries around the world we have never been more linguistically diverse. In fact, The U.S. Census Bureau Reports at Least 350 Languages Spoken are in U.S. Homes. While some U.S. cities (like New York, Miami, and Los Angeles) have higher LEP populations, there are approximately 25.1 million Limited English Proficient individuals across the United States.
Who is Limited English Proficient? Individuals who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English can be limited English proficient, or “LEP.” These individuals may report speaking English less than “very well.” Organizations working with LEP populations may offer language services in order to communicate effectively with people of different languages and cultures.
Although many people who speak a language other than English at home may speak English “very well,” approximately 8% of the United States population, both foreign and U.S. born, are considered Limited English Proficient.
The following infographic will help you gain a better understanding of LEP populations by U.S. state.
Infographic: LEP Populations by U.S. State – Ages 5 and Older (2016)
LEP Populations by State, Broken Down by U.S. Born and Foreign-Born
(Source: Migration Policy Institute)
Alabama
Foreign-Born Population: 162,248
LEP Share: 45.6%
U.S. Born Population: 4,414,409
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 96,057
Alaska
Foreign-Born Population: 56,964
LEP Share: 46%
U.S. Born Population: 632,435
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 29,365
Arizona
Foreign-Born Population: 928,317
LEP Share: 47.6%
U.S. Born Population: 5,566,432
LEP Share: 2.4%
LEP Population: 575,473
Arkansas
Foreign-Born Population: 137,200
LEP Share: 51.2%
U.S. Born Population: 2,662,332
LEP Share: 0.6%
LEP Population: 86,220
California
Foreign-Born Population: 10,615,712
LEP Share: 55.4%
U.S. Born Population: 26,151,883
LEP Share: 3.7%
LEP Population: 6,848,724
Colorado
Foreign-Born Population: 538,810
LEP Share: 47.8%
U.S. Born Population: 4,666,664
LEP Share: 1.2%
LEP Population: 313,551
Connecticut
Foreign-Born Population: 509,720
LEP Share: 37.7%
U.S. Born Population: 2,881,703
LEP Share: 2.7%
LEP Population: 269,970
Delaware
Foreign-Born Population: 88,687
LEP Share: 37.8%
U.S. Born Population: 808,137
LEP Share: 1.0%
LEP Population: 41,605
Florida
Foreign-Born Population: 4,211,520
LEP Share: 46.6%
U.S. Born Population: 15,283,452
LEP Share: 2.5%
LEP Population: 2,344,654
Georgia
Foreign-Born Population: 1,028,650
LEP Share: 45.9%
U.S. Born Population: 8,626,843
LEP Share: 0.9%
LEP Population: 549,792
Hawaii
Foreign-Born Population: 260,933
LEP Share: 51.4%
U.S. Born Population: 1,076,902
LEP Share: 2.7%
LEP Population: 163,196
Idaho
Foreign-Born Population: 97,660
LEP Share: 49.5%
U.S. Born Population: 1,471,337
LEP Share: 1.2%
LEP Population: 65,998
Illinois
Foreign-Born Population: 1,772,731
LEP Share: 49.9%
U.S. Born Population: 10,259,318
LEP Share: 1.5%
LEP Population: 1,038,483
Indiana
Foreign-Born Population: 344,837
LEP Share: 45.3%
U.S. Born Population: 5,867,849
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 203,154
Iowa
Foreign-Born Population: 158,695
LEP Share: 50.7%
U.S. Born Population: 2,778,511
LEP Share: 0.7%
LEP Population: 99,908
Kansas
Foreign-Born Population: 204,281
LEP Share: 52.9%
U.S. Born Population: 2,505,602
LEP Share: 0.7%
LEP Population: 125,604
Kentucky
Foreign-Born Population: 154,172
LEP Share: 48%
U.S. Born Population: 4,009,853
LEP Share: 0.4%
LEP Population: 91,641
Louisiana
Foreign-Born Population: 188,096
LEP Share: 47.4%
U.S. Born Population: 4,186,607
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 122,651
Maine
Foreign-Born Population: 50,159
LEP Share: 30.1%
U.S. Born Population: 1,217,379
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 21,185
Maryland
Foreign-Born Population: 913,373
LEP Share: 38.4%
U.S. Born Population: 4,740,179
LEP Share: 1.0%
LEP Population: 398,137
Massachusetts
Foreign-Born Population: 1,114,360
LEP Share: 43.0%
U.S. Born Population: 5,337,645
LEP Share: 2.1%
LEP Population: 591,266
Michigan
Foreign-Born Population: 656,544
LEP Share: 41.5%
U.S. Born Population: 8,700,093
LEP Share: 0.7%
LEP Population: 333,367
Minnesota
Foreign-Born Population: 446,658
LEP Share: 45.3%
U.S. Born Population: 4,722,214
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 240,114
Mississippi
Foreign-Born Population: 58,135
LEP Share: 42.5%
U.S. Born Population: 2,743,761
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 38,426
Missouri
Foreign-Born Population: 247,281
LEP Share: 39.5%
U.S. Born Population: 5,474,187
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 125,047
Montana
Foreign-Born Population: 21,790
LEP Share: 15.5%
U.S. Born Population: 959,587
LEP Share: 0.4%
LEP Population: 7,216
Nebraska
Foreign-Born Population: 132,414
LEP Share: 59.4%
U.S. Born Population: 1,642,545
LEP Share: 1.0%
LEP Population: 95,079
Nevada
Foreign-Born Population: 584,059
LEP Share: 48.6%
U.S. Born Population: 2,172,638
LEP Share: 1.8%
LEP Population: 322,961
New Hampshire
Foreign-Born Population: 75,375
LEP Share: 35%
U.S. Born Population: 1,194,942
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 32,365
New Jersey
Foreign-Born Population: 2,003,155
LEP Share: 45.2%
U.S. Born Population: 6,421,144
LEP Share: 2.4%
LEP Population: 1,059,533
New Mexico
Foreign-Born Population: 197,547
LEP Share: 51.4%
U.S. Born Population: 1,758,342
LEP Share: 3.5%
LEP Population: 163,081
New York
Foreign-Born Population: 4,512,221
LEP Share: 46.7%
U.S. Born Population: 14,074,049
LEP Share: 3.2%
LEP Population: 2,557,577
North Carolina
Foreign-Born Population: 782,406
LEP Share: 46.3%
U.S. Born Population: 8,769,789
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 432,412
North Dakota
Foreign-Born Population: 24,359
LEP Share: 30.3%
U.S. Born Population: 678,696
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 12,811
Ohio
Foreign-Born Population: 508,158
LEP Share: 37.2%
U.S. Born Population: 10,413,470
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 272,343
Oklahoma
Foreign-Born Population: 226,749
LEP Share: 51.4%
U.S. Born Population: 3,432,716
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 144,011
Oregon
Foreign-Born Population: 391,299
LEP Share: 47.6%
U.S. Born Population: 3,467,584
LEP Share: 1.2%
LEP Population: 403,865
Pennsylvania
Foreign-Born Population: 861,782
LEP Share: 42.0%
U.S. Born Population: 11,212,702
LEP Share: 1.5%
LEP Population: 530,139
Rhode Island
Foreign-Born Population: 146,669
LEP Share: 45.9%
U.S. Born Population: 855,613
LEP Share: 2.0%
LEP Population: 84,433
South Carolina
Foreign-Born Population: 235,798
LEP Share: 42.4%
U.S. Born Population: 4,435,309
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 122,155
South Dakota
Foreign-Born Population: 30,162
LEP Share: 46.2%
U.S. Born Population: 774,400
LEP Share: 0.6%
LEP Population: 18,581
Tennessee
Foreign-Born Population: 316,516
LEP Share: 46.7%
U.S. Born Population: 5,930,510
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 177,466
Texas
Foreign-Born Population: 4,691,339
LEP Share: 57.0%
U.S. Born Population: 21,164,346
LEP Share: 4.5%
LEP Population: 3,626,459
Utah
Foreign-Born Population: 250,580
LEP Share: 45.2%
U.S. Born Population: 2,547,215
LEP Share: 1.0%
LEP Population: 138,734
Vermont
Foreign-Born Population: 28,008
LEP Share: 22.6%
U.S. Born Population: 566,122
LEP Share: 0.2%
LEP Population: 7,462
Virginia
Foreign-Born Population: 1,022,627
LEP Share: 41.0%
U.S. Born Population: 6,885,399
LEP Share: 0.8%
LEP Population: 474,360
Washington
Foreign-Born Population: 1,013,000
LEP Share: 44.3%
U.S. Born Population: 5,825,056
LEP Share: 1.3%
LEP Population: 524,485
West Virginia
Foreign-Born Population: 31,532
LEP Share: 26.1%
U.S. Born Population: 1,697,902
LEP Share: 0.3%
LEP Population: 13,324
Wisconsin
Foreign-Born Population: 286,261
LEP Share: 43.6%
U.S. Born Population: 5,158,357
LEP Share: 1.0%
LEP Population: 176,394
Wyoming
Foreign-Born Population: 18,670
LEP Share: 44.6%
U.S. Born Population: 528,958
LEP Share: 0.5%
LEP Population: 10,972
Language support is key for organizations work with LEP populations. With the growing number of limited-English speakers if the United States, interpreters and translators are valuable assets in removing language barriers for millions of Americans. From medical interpreting to legal translation, from business to 911 emergency, professional interpreters and translators help provide effective communication.
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