From the United States Census[1]

Percent of Population that spoke a language other than English at home:

  • 1975: 5.7
  • 1980: 11%
  • 1990: 13.8%
  • 2000: 17.5%
  • 2010: 20.5%
  • 2019: 21.2%

What This Shows

The U.S. population grew rapidly from in-U.S. births (peak fertility rate of about 3.78 near 1960). This dramatically increased the U.S. population with native born, English speakers.

By about 1970, the U.S. fertility rate fell dramatically to below replacement level, rising just above replacement level in the 1980s to 1990s, and then fell again. Today the fertility rate is about 1.9 (or lower depending on who is measuring, apparently).

As of now, immigration accounts for the majority of U.S. population growth and this is expected to account for 100% of population growth in about 20 years. Immigrants are far more likely to speak a language other than English, at home – thus, the trend is we will see even more homes using a language other than English at home.

U.S. ranks extremely poorly in foreign language instruction in public schools – Coldstreams Travel and Global Thinking

  • About 60% of the world’s population has some ability in 2 or more languages
  • About 43% of the world’s population is fluent (high skill) in 2 or more languages
  • About 13% of the world’s population is fluent in English and another 12% have some English language ability.

[1]

American Community Survey Reports
Language Use in the United States: 2019
By Sandy Dietrich and Erik Hernandez
Issued August 2022

United States Census

Coldstreams