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Immigration and language across the states

California has the most immigrants by number (10.7 million) and by share (27.2% of residents born abroad); West Virginia has the smallest share (2.3%1). California also leads in residents who speak a language other than English at home (44.9%2), but language and birthplace do not follow the same map: in Texas and New Mexico, far more people speak another language at home than were born abroad.

Data as of October 29, 2026 (newest release used on this page).

Foreign-born share of population by state
Foreign-born share of population by state

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002; Census Bureau, 2024 Cartographic Boundary Files. Darker states are higher; DC is the dot. Period: 2025.

Show the numbers
StateForeign-born share of population
California27.2%
New Jersey24.9%
New York23.4%
Florida22.7%
Nevada19.4%
Massachusetts19.1%
Texas18.5%
Hawaii18.0%
Maryland17.7%
Washington16.6%
Connecticut15.7%
Illinois15.6%
Rhode Island14.9%
District of Columbia14.8%
Virginia13.9%
Arizona13.2%
Georgia11.7%
Delaware10.7%
Colorado10.4%
Oregon10.0%
North Carolina9.9%
New Mexico9.8%
Utah9.8%
Minnesota9.1%
Nebraska8.8%
Pennsylvania8.4%
Kansas8.3%
Michigan7.7%
Alaska7.6%
New Hampshire7.3%
Indiana7.1%
Tennessee6.8%
Iowa6.6%
South Carolina6.6%
Oklahoma6.4%
Idaho6.0%
North Dakota6.0%
Ohio5.9%
Arkansas5.7%
Kentucky5.7%
Vermont5.4%
Wisconsin5.4%
Louisiana5.0%
Maine4.7%
Missouri4.7%
Alabama4.6%
South Dakota3.8%
Wyoming3.6%
Mississippi3.0%
Montana2.8%
West Virginia2.3%

The states with the most immigrants

The Census Bureau's American Community Survey counted 50,409,320 foreign-born residents in 2025 (±204,810), 14.7%1 of the population. The Bureau defines the foreign born as anyone who was not a US citizen at birth, so the count includes naturalized citizens as well as noncitizens.

California leads on both measures: 10,687,553 immigrants, 27.2% of its residents (±0.2 percentage points). After it, the two lists diverge. By number, Texas (5,850,851), Florida (5,336,897) and New York (4,673,727) come next. By share, the order is New Jersey (24.9%), New York (23.4%), Florida (22.7%), Nevada (19.4%) and Massachusetts (19.1%); Texas, second by number, is 7th highest1 by share.

At the other end, West Virginia (2.3%), Montana (2.8%) and Mississippi (3.0%) have the smallest shares, and Wyoming has the fewest immigrants (21,157). Only 12 states are significantly above the national share and 371 are significantly below it; the District of Columbia is not statistically different from it. The table brings together every measure on this page for each state.

Immigration and language by state: foreign born, citizenship and languages (2025), new green cards (fiscal year 2024)
California27.2% ±0.210,687,553 ±63,53357.2% ±0.344.9% ±0.328.5% ±0.216.8% ±0.25.5
New Jersey24.9% ±0.32,380,189 ±31,79058.2% ±0.834.0% ±0.517.7% ±0.313.3% ±0.36.1
New York23.4% ±0.34,673,727 ±50,87660.6% ±0.532.1% ±0.315.1% ±0.213.7% ±0.26.8
Florida22.7% ±0.25,336,897 ±57,09357.8% ±0.531.4% ±0.323.4% ±0.212.6% ±0.29.4
Nevada19.4% ±0.5637,742 ±16,92356.1% ±1.830.2% ±0.820.2% ±0.511.2% ±0.55.2
Massachusetts19.1% ±0.41,368,806 ±29,53153.6% ±0.726.3% ±0.510.3% ±0.29.7% ±0.35.1
Texas18.5% ±0.25,850,851 ±62,98845.4% ±0.535.4% ±0.327.6% ±0.212.2% ±0.25.1
Hawaii18.0% ±0.8257,546 ±11,20964.5% ±1.825.1% ±1.12.1% ±0.310.3% ±0.73.3
Maryland17.7% ±0.41,110,323 ±27,64156.5% ±0.922.2% ±0.510.3% ±0.28.2% ±0.35.0
Washington16.6% ±0.31,329,131 ±21,74551.5% ±1.122.5% ±0.59.3% ±0.28.1% ±0.34.2
Connecticut15.7% ±0.5580,312 ±17,49357.2% ±1.223.5% ±0.613.1% ±0.48.2% ±0.43.5
Illinois15.6% ±0.31,984,938 ±34,73554.0% ±0.525.0% ±0.314.5% ±0.29.1% ±0.33.5
Rhode Island14.9% ±0.8165,994 ±9,46258.0% ±3.322.9% ±1.014.4% ±0.68.5% ±0.74.0
District of Columbia14.8% ±1.0102,693 ±7,00049.3% ±4.020.0% ±1.410.4% ±0.74.9% ±0.74.2
Virginia13.9% ±0.21,238,730 ±22,07659.0% ±1.018.5% ±0.48.2% ±0.25.9% ±0.24.3
Arizona13.2% ±0.31,008,584 ±23,22951.7% ±1.425.3% ±0.518.9% ±0.48.2% ±0.33.3
Georgia11.7% ±0.31,326,029 ±31,01050.8% ±1.516.1% ±0.38.9% ±0.25.6% ±0.23.1
Delaware10.7% ±0.9113,287 ±9,31049.8% ±4.115.6% ±1.18.1% ±0.75.3% ±0.62.6
Colorado10.4% ±0.4624,448 ±24,48348.9% ±0.816.9% ±0.511.4% ±0.45.5% ±0.32.9
Oregon10.0% ±0.4429,361 ±15,00551.2% ±1.415.8% ±0.59.5% ±0.45.4% ±0.32.2
North Carolina9.9% ±0.21,105,839 ±26,72643.7% ±1.014.7% ±0.39.5% ±0.25.4% ±0.22.5
New Mexico9.8% ±0.6208,669 ±12,29945.6% ±1.130.6% ±1.024.0% ±0.98.9% ±0.62.5
Utah9.8% ±0.4345,167 ±14,73340.9% ±2.217.0% ±0.612.0% ±0.45.8% ±0.32.9
Minnesota9.1% ±0.3528,635 ±15,82259.6% ±1.612.8% ±0.44.5% ±0.24.5% ±0.22.5
Nebraska8.8% ±0.5177,500 ±9,75043.9% ±2.813.8% ±0.69.4% ±0.45.7% ±0.53.4
Pennsylvania8.4% ±0.21,099,599 ±24,51357.6% ±0.813.3% ±0.35.9% ±0.24.9% ±0.22.7
Kansas8.3% ±0.4246,911 ±10,61341.2% ±2.612.9% ±0.58.6% ±0.45.0% ±0.32.2
Michigan7.7% ±0.2779,385 ±19,95156.8% ±1.210.9% ±0.33.3% ±0.13.7% ±0.22.1
Alaska7.6% ±0.656,023 ±4,55362.8% ±4.915.4% ±1.23.1% ±0.54.7% ±0.81.5
New Hampshire7.3% ±0.4103,494 ±6,23461.0% ±3.98.4% ±0.62.6% ±0.32.5% ±0.41.5
Indiana7.1% ±0.3494,582 ±18,73743.3% ±1.411.1% ±0.36.0% ±0.24.1% ±0.21.7
Tennessee6.8% ±0.3494,649 ±19,14142.7% ±2.29.6% ±0.35.8% ±0.24.0% ±0.31.8
Iowa6.6% ±0.3214,002 ±8,51142.8% ±2.410.2% ±0.55.1% ±0.34.2% ±0.31.8
South Carolina6.6% ±0.3368,976 ±14,63944.2% ±1.89.4% ±0.35.9% ±0.23.4% ±0.21.4
Oklahoma6.4% ±0.2265,070 ±8,26645.4% ±1.811.6% ±0.48.1% ±0.33.9% ±0.21.8
Idaho6.0% ±0.4122,134 ±7,32050.1% ±3.610.9% ±0.67.9% ±0.53.0% ±0.31.3
North Dakota6.0% ±0.848,267 ±6,04347.1% ±7.07.9% ±1.02.6% ±0.52.5% ±0.52.0
Ohio5.9% ±0.2699,143 ±23,12751.9% ±1.08.9% ±0.32.9% ±0.13.0% ±0.21.7
Arkansas5.7% ±0.3177,328 ±8,52537.7% ±2.78.8% ±0.46.1% ±0.33.3% ±0.21.2
Kentucky5.7% ±0.3262,887 ±12,27741.7% ±2.17.6% ±0.43.8% ±0.23.2% ±0.22.6
Vermont5.4% ±0.635,107 ±3,89570.3% ±6.25.5% ±0.71.3% ±0.21.3% ±0.31.0
Wisconsin5.4% ±0.2323,252 ±13,20647.5% ±1.89.5% ±0.35.2% ±0.23.2% ±0.21.3
Louisiana5.0% ±0.2230,207 ±10,93540.3% ±2.38.4% ±0.44.9% ±0.33.4% ±0.31.2
Maine4.7% ±0.367,070 ±4,77252.7% ±4.36.3% ±0.51.2% ±0.21.8% ±0.31.0
Missouri4.7% ±0.2295,406 ±13,28652.9% ±1.96.9% ±0.33.0% ±0.22.2% ±0.21.4
Alabama4.6% ±0.2236,556 ±11,71641.7% ±1.86.8% ±0.34.2% ±0.22.4% ±0.21.0
South Dakota3.8% ±0.435,497 ±3,96544.1% ±6.36.8% ±0.72.8% ±0.32.4% ±0.41.2
Wyoming3.6% ±0.521,157 ±3,18144.7% ±7.7–––0.9
Mississippi3.0% ±0.287,498 ±6,82843.2% ±4.44.7% ±0.32.6% ±0.21.8% ±0.20.7
Montana2.8% ±0.332,036 ±3,76556.6% ±3.24.0% ±0.41.4% ±0.20.9% ±0.20.6
West Virginia2.3% ±0.240,133 ±3,99256.5% ±3.62.8% ±0.31.4% ±0.20.7% ±0.20.5
United States14.7% ±0.150,409,320 ±204,81053.9% ±0.122.9% ±0.113.9% ±0.18.5% ±0.14.0

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002; Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table C16001; States Demographics, Computed. ± is the 90% margin of error.

The full rankings, with margins of error and rank ranges, are on foreign-born population by state and languages spoken at home by state.

Which languages are spoken at home

Of the 323.6 million people aged 5 and older, 22.9% (±0.1 percentage points) spoke a language other than English at home in 2025, not statistically different from 23.0% in 2024. Spanish accounts for most of them: 44.9 million4 speakers, 13.9%2 of the age group. No other language reaches a tenth of that count.

Most spoken languages at home other than English, US, 2025, with the share of speakers who speak English less than \
Spanish44,921,985 ±177,78713.9%2025high38.5%
Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)3,775,645 ±47,0621.2%2025high48.3%
Tagalog (incl. Filipino)1,969,835 ±39,6810.61%2025high28.3%
Vietnamese1,659,708 ±37,0670.51%2025high55.6%
Arabic1,366,367 ±45,0160.42%2025high31.8%
French (incl. Cajun)1,222,687 ±35,1850.38%2025high23.1%
Korean1,173,323 ±29,6680.36%2025high48.7%
Portuguese1,037,525 ±34,3840.32%2025high32.8%
Russian1,001,388 ±31,1710.31%2025high38.2%
Haitian936,913 ±38,4150.29%2025high44.3%
Hindi1,023,916 ±32,5460.32%2025high14.8%
German833,996 ±25,4140.26%2025high13.0%

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B16001. Share of the population 5 years and over. Each row uses the ACS 2025 1-year estimate where it is published with a coefficient of variation of 30% or less, otherwise the 2020–2024 5-year estimate. ± is the 90% margin of error; low reliability means a CV above 30%.

The states with the highest shares of residents speaking another language are California (44.9%), Texas (35.4%) and New Jersey (34.0%). The lowest are West Virginia (2.8%), Montana (4.0%) and Mississippi (4.7%). For Spanish alone, California (28.5%), Texas (27.6%) and New Mexico (24.0%) lead, while in Maine (1.2%) and Vermont (1.3%2) Spanish speakers are a minority of those who speak another language at home. The Census Bureau did not publish the 2025 language table for Wyoming, so it is missing from the language rankings.

Where language and birthplace part ways

Speaking another language at home is not the same as being an immigrant. Texas ranks 2nd highest for the share of residents who speak a language other than English (35.4%, ±0.3 percentage points) but 7th highest for the share born abroad (18.5%). New Mexico shows the gap most clearly: 30.6% of residents 5 and older speak another language at home, ranking between 5th and 7th2 highest, while 9.8% of residents were born abroad, ranking between 18th and 23rd1. Even if every immigrant in New Mexico spoke another language, most of the state's speakers of other languages would have to be US-born.

New Mexico also has the highest share of people who speak Navajo at home (2.9% in 2020–2024), while Arizona has the most speakers (75,037). Alaska has the highest share speaking other Native languages of North America (3.6%5). These are Indigenous languages of North America, not languages brought by immigrants.

Speak a language other than English at home, 2025: New Mexico and the US among all states
New Mexico: 30.6%; lowest West Virginia 2.8%; highest California 44.9%USNew Mexico 30.6%

West Virginia 2.8%California 44.9%

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table C16001. Each dot is a state. Period: 2025.

Show the numbers
StateSpeak a language other than English at home
California44.9%
Texas35.4%
New Jersey34.0%
New York32.1%
Florida31.4%
New Mexico30.6%
Nevada30.2%
Massachusetts26.3%
Arizona25.3%
Hawaii25.1%
Illinois25.0%
Connecticut23.5%
Rhode Island22.9%
Washington22.5%
Maryland22.2%
District of Columbia20.0%
Virginia18.5%
Utah17.0%
Colorado16.9%
Georgia16.1%
Oregon15.8%
Delaware15.6%
Alaska15.4%
North Carolina14.7%
Nebraska13.8%
Pennsylvania13.3%
Kansas12.9%
Minnesota12.8%
Oklahoma11.6%
Indiana11.1%
Idaho10.9%
Michigan10.9%
Iowa10.2%
Tennessee9.6%
Wisconsin9.5%
South Carolina9.4%
Ohio8.9%
Arkansas8.8%
Louisiana8.4%
New Hampshire8.4%
North Dakota7.9%
Kentucky7.6%
Missouri6.9%
Alabama6.8%
South Dakota6.8%
Maine6.3%
Vermont5.5%
Mississippi4.7%
Montana4.0%
West Virginia2.8%

Hawaii runs the other way. Its foreign-born share, 18.0%, ranks between 7th and 9th1 highest, yet only 2.1% of residents speak Spanish at home, which ranks between 45th and 46th2 of the 50 states and DC with published data. Its other languages come from Asia and the Pacific: Hawaii has the highest shares speaking Tagalog (4.4%) and speaking Ilocano, Samoan, Hawaiian or another Austronesian language (8.6%5), both 2020–2024.

Where each state's immigrants were born

Nationally, 50.3% of the foreign born were born in Latin America, down from 51.4% in 2024, and 31.9% in Asia, up from 30.8% in 2024. Europe accounts for 9.5% and Africa for 5.9%1. State by state the mix is very different.

Region of birth of the foreign-born population, share of each state's foreign born, 2025
Hawaii4.4% ±0.877.8% ±1.74.3% ±0.71.4% ±0.51.8% ±0.5
Michigan20.8% ±1.253.1% ±1.515.8% ±1.05.7% ±0.83.9% ±0.5
Alaska13.9% ±3.551.1% ±2.518.3% ±4.93.6% ±1.94.5% ±1.5
Washington28.3% ±1.346.1% ±0.913.4% ±0.96.9% ±0.73.5% ±0.4
Virginia35.5% ±1.243.5% ±0.98.3% ±0.511.0% ±0.71.5% ±0.2
California47.9% ±0.541.9% ±0.46.1% ±0.22.1% ±0.11.2% ±0.1
Mississippi42.0% ±4.541.3% ±3.810.2% ±2.04.6% ±1.81.5% ±1.0
Ohio25.9% ±1.840.8% ±1.013.6% ±0.716.7% ±1.82.6% ±0.4
Missouri30.2% ±1.939.6% ±1.914.5% ±1.711.8% ±2.42.3% ±0.6
Pennsylvania34.8% ±1.639.6% ±0.814.5% ±0.89.0% ±0.91.9% ±0.3
West Virginia32.0% ±6.035.4% ±3.615.3% ±3.115.0% ±5.62.1% ±1.8
Wisconsin41.9% ±1.835.1% ±1.913.9% ±1.27.1% ±2.11.8% ±0.4
Minnesota25.8% ±1.635.0% ±1.28.9% ±0.827.2% ±2.02.5% ±0.4
Delaware41.3% ±5.134.3% ±3.89.8% ±1.613.1% ±5.11.2% ±0.8
Nevada52.9% ±2.034.3% ±1.56.8% ±0.74.0% ±1.01.5% ±0.4
New Hampshire28.4% ±4.033.3% ±4.122.3% ±3.17.8% ±2.37.8% ±1.6
New Jersey48.5% ±1.233.1% ±0.611.6% ±0.55.8% ±0.40.8% ±0.1
Georgia48.0% ±1.532.8% ±0.87.2% ±0.510.3% ±0.81.5% ±0.2
Alabama50.7% ±3.032.6% ±2.19.6% ±1.35.1% ±1.11.8% ±0.4
Oregon43.4% ±2.932.6% ±1.613.6% ±1.24.1% ±0.74.0% ±0.7
New York47.4% ±0.831.8% ±0.513.8% ±0.45.6% ±0.31.1% ±0.1
Indiana49.7% ±2.631.7% ±1.37.6% ±0.79.7% ±1.71.1% ±0.3
Illinois44.8% ±1.131.5% ±0.618.3% ±0.74.3% ±0.40.8% ±0.1
Montana23.1% ±6.731.2% ±5.521.8% ±4.48.7% ±3.613.9% ±3.4
Maryland41.1% ±1.430.8% ±0.67.6% ±0.619.5% ±1.20.8% ±0.2
Massachusetts41.4% ±1.530.8% ±0.915.8% ±0.69.6% ±0.82.1% ±0.2
Iowa38.8% ±2.930.3% ±2.37.7% ±1.120.2% ±3.01.0% ±0.4
Vermont18.1% ±4.129.8% ±5.625.3% ±5.09.8% ±5.116.5% ±4.2
Kentucky45.0% ±2.329.6% ±2.09.0% ±1.413.7% ±2.51.9% ±0.5
South Dakota38.3% ±6.629.5% ±6.79.5% ±2.818.1% ±4.62.9% ±1.4
North Carolina51.7% ±1.428.8% ±0.810.3% ±0.77.0% ±0.91.9% ±0.3
Tennessee50.5% ±2.028.4% ±1.39.3% ±1.29.2% ±1.82.0% ±0.4
Louisiana60.5% ±3.227.9% ±2.06.4% ±0.93.4% ±1.21.6% ±0.6
Kansas56.3% ±3.327.5% ±1.55.3% ±1.17.9% ±2.01.5% ±0.5
North Dakota16.4% ±4.427.3% ±4.912.2% ±3.135.8% ±8.55.9% ±1.4
Oklahoma59.7% ±2.427.3% ±1.66.1% ±0.83.5% ±0.81.4% ±0.4
Arkansas58.2% ±3.727.0% ±2.36.9% ±1.23.7% ±1.40.6% ±0.3
Texas61.9% ±0.626.3% ±0.54.0% ±0.26.3% ±0.31.1% ±0.1
Nebraska57.7% ±3.426.0% ±2.65.0% ±1.08.9% ±1.81.4% ±0.5
Connecticut49.4% ±2.425.6% ±1.218.6% ±1.44.5% ±0.81.7% ±0.3
Maine16.8% ±4.325.6% ±3.618.6% ±2.926.9% ±5.611.2% ±1.9
Colorado52.4% ±2.523.8% ±0.912.1% ±1.07.8% ±0.92.8% ±0.6
Arizona59.2% ±1.823.7% ±1.07.9% ±0.64.3% ±0.84.3% ±0.4
District of Columbia42.8% ±4.923.2% ±2.814.6% ±2.517.1% ±4.01.3% ±0.5
South Carolina51.9% ±3.121.5% ±1.716.1% ±1.46.3% ±1.52.8% ±0.5
Idaho55.2% ±3.521.0% ±2.713.0% ±1.94.9% ±1.64.9% ±1.1
Wyoming49.4% ±11.220.0% ±5.119.0% ±5.43.3% ±2.86.2% ±4.8
Utah63.1% ±2.919.6% ±1.27.8% ±1.02.7% ±0.63.0% ±0.7
Rhode Island54.0% ±4.517.0% ±2.016.5% ±2.311.0% ±2.21.1% ±0.5
New Mexico75.3% ±3.116.0% ±1.45.5% ±0.91.6% ±0.81.4% ±0.5
Florida75.7% ±0.610.9% ±0.39.2% ±0.41.9% ±0.22.2% ±0.1
United States50.3% ±0.331.9% ±0.19.5% ±0.15.9% ±0.11.7%

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002. ± is the 90% margin of error.

  • Latin America. In Florida (75.7%, ±0.6 percentage points) and New Mexico (75.3%, ±3.1 percentage points) about three in four immigrants were born in Latin America, 25.4 percentage points above the US figure (50.3%) in Florida's case. Texas (61.9%) and Utah (63.1%) are also significantly above the national share.
  • Asia. In Hawaii, 77.8% of immigrants were born in Asia (±1.7 percentage points) and only 4.4% in Latin America. Asia is also the larger birthplace in Michigan (53.1% against 20.8%), Alaska (51.1% against 13.9%), Washington (46.1% against 28.3%) and Virginia (43.5% against 35.5%).
  • Africa. The highest African-born shares are in the upper Midwest and Maine: North Dakota 35.8% (±8.5 percentage points), Minnesota 27.2% (±2.0 percentage points) and Maine 26.9% (±5.6 percentage points), then Iowa (20.2%) and Maryland (19.5%). The margins for North Dakota and Maine are wide because their immigrant populations are small.
  • Europe. The highest European-born shares are in northern New England and Montana: Vermont 25.3% (±5.0 percentage points), New Hampshire 22.3% (±3.1 percentage points) and Montana 21.8% (±4.4 percentage points), each significantly above the national 9.5%1.
Born in Africa, share of the foreign-born population, 2025, with 90% margins of error
North Dakota35.8% ±8.5
Minnesota27.2% ±2.0
Maine26.9% ±5.6
Iowa20.2% ±3.0
Maryland19.5% ±1.2
District of Columbia17.1% ±4.0
United States5.9% ±0.1

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002. Whiskers show the 90% margin of error. Period: 2025.

Show the numbers
StateBorn in Africa, share of the foreign bornMOE
North Dakota35.8%±8.5
Minnesota27.2%±2.0
Maine26.9%±5.6
Iowa20.2%±3.0
Maryland19.5%±1.2
District of Columbia17.1%±4.0
United States5.9%±0.1

The language data line up with these birthplaces. Minnesota has the highest share of people who speak Amharic, Somali or another Afro-Asiatic language at home (1.8%), Maryland the highest share speaking Yoruba, Twi, Igbo or another West African language (1.2%), and Michigan the highest share speaking Arabic (1.8%). Florida leads for Haitian (2.2%) and Massachusetts for Portuguese (3.4%5). All of these shares are for 2020–2024.

How many immigrants are citizens

53.9% of the foreign born were naturalized US citizens in 2025, up from 51.4% in 2024. Vermont is highest (70.3%, ±6.2 percentage points; between 1st and 3rd), followed by Hawaii (64.5%) and Alaska (62.8%). Arkansas is lowest (37.7%, between 46th and 51st), with Louisiana (40.3%) and Utah (40.9%1) next.

Naturalized citizens as a share of the foreign born, 2025, with 90% margins of error
Vermont70.3% ±6.2
Hawaii64.5% ±1.8
Alaska62.8% ±4.9
New Hampshire61.0% ±3.9
New York60.6% ±0.5
Minnesota59.6% ±1.6
Virginia59.0% ±1.0
New Jersey58.2% ±0.8
Rhode Island58.0% ±3.3
Florida57.8% ±0.5
Pennsylvania57.6% ±0.8
California57.2% ±0.3
Connecticut57.2% ±1.2
Michigan56.8% ±1.2
Montana56.6% ±3.2
Maryland56.5% ±0.9
West Virginia56.5% ±3.6
Nevada56.1% ±1.8
Illinois54.0% ±0.5
United States53.9% ±0.1
Massachusetts53.6% ±0.7
Missouri52.9% ±1.9
Maine52.7% ±4.3
Ohio51.9% ±1.0
Arizona51.7% ±1.4
Washington51.5% ±1.1
Oregon51.2% ±1.4
Georgia50.8% ±1.5
Idaho50.1% ±3.6
Delaware49.8% ±4.1
District of Columbia49.3% ±4.0
Colorado48.9% ±0.8
Wisconsin47.5% ±1.8
North Dakota47.1% ±7.0
New Mexico45.6% ±1.1
Oklahoma45.4% ±1.8
Texas45.4% ±0.5
Wyoming44.7% ±7.7
South Carolina44.2% ±1.8
South Dakota44.1% ±6.3
Nebraska43.9% ±2.8
North Carolina43.7% ±1.0
Indiana43.3% ±1.4
Mississippi43.2% ±4.4
Iowa42.8% ±2.4
Tennessee42.7% ±2.2
Alabama41.7% ±1.8
Kentucky41.7% ±2.1
Kansas41.2% ±2.6
Utah40.9% ±2.2
Louisiana40.3% ±2.3
Arkansas37.7% ±2.7

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002. Whiskers show the 90% margin of error; states whose whiskers overlap may not differ significantly. Period: 2025.

Show the numbers
StateNaturalized citizens, share of the foreign bornMOE
Vermont70.3%±6.2
Hawaii64.5%±1.8
Alaska62.8%±4.9
New Hampshire61.0%±3.9
New York60.6%±0.5
Minnesota59.6%±1.6
Virginia59.0%±1.0
New Jersey58.2%±0.8
Rhode Island58.0%±3.3
Florida57.8%±0.5
Pennsylvania57.6%±0.8
California57.2%±0.3
Connecticut57.2%±1.2
Michigan56.8%±1.2
Montana56.6%±3.2
Maryland56.5%±0.9
West Virginia56.5%±3.6
Nevada56.1%±1.8
Illinois54.0%±0.5
United States53.9%±0.1
Massachusetts53.6%±0.7
Missouri52.9%±1.9
Maine52.7%±4.3
Ohio51.9%±1.0
Arizona51.7%±1.4
Washington51.5%±1.1
Oregon51.2%±1.4
Georgia50.8%±1.5
Idaho50.1%±3.6
Delaware49.8%±4.1
District of Columbia49.3%±4.0
Colorado48.9%±0.8
Wisconsin47.5%±1.8
North Dakota47.1%±7.0
New Mexico45.6%±1.1
Oklahoma45.4%±1.8
Texas45.4%±0.5
Wyoming44.7%±7.7
South Carolina44.2%±1.8
South Dakota44.1%±6.3
Nebraska43.9%±2.8
North Carolina43.7%±1.0
Indiana43.3%±1.4
Mississippi43.2%±4.4
Iowa42.8%±2.4
Tennessee42.7%±2.2
Alabama41.7%±1.8
Kentucky41.7%±2.1
Kansas41.2%±2.6
Utah40.9%±2.2
Louisiana40.3%±2.3
Arkansas37.7%±2.7

Among the four states with the most immigrants, New York (60.6%, between 3rd and 7th), Florida (57.8%) and California (57.2%) are above the national share. Texas is 8.5 percentage points below the US figure (53.9%) (45.4%). Florida's share was up from 54.9% in 20241.

Counted against the whole population, noncitizens were 6.8% of US residents in 2025, down from 7.2% in 2024. The shares are highest in California (11.6%, ±0.1 percentage points) and Texas (10.1%, ±0.2 percentage points6).

Speaking English less than "very well"

The survey asks people who speak another language at home how well they speak English. In 2025, 8.5% of residents 5 and older (±0.1 percentage points) said less than "very well", down from 9.0% in 2024. The share is highest in California (16.8%), New York (13.7%) and New Jersey (13.3%), then Florida (12.6%) and Texas (12.2%). It is lowest in West Virginia (0.7%) and Montana (0.9%2).

Speak English less than \
California16.8% ±0.2
New York13.7% ±0.2
New Jersey13.3% ±0.3
Florida12.6% ±0.2
Texas12.2% ±0.2
Hawaii10.3% ±0.7
New Mexico8.9% ±0.6
United States8.5% ±0.1

Source: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table C16001. Whiskers show the 90% margin of error. Period: 2025.

Show the numbers
StateSpeak English less than "very well"MOE
California16.8%±0.2
New York13.7%±0.2
New Jersey13.3%±0.3
Florida12.6%±0.2
Texas12.2%±0.2
Hawaii10.3%±0.7
New Mexico8.9%±0.6
United States8.5%±0.1

New York ranks 4th highest for speaking another language at home but 2nd highest for limited English. New Mexico, 6th highest for other languages, has a limited-English share of 8.9%, not statistically different from the US figure (8.5%)2, consistent with the large number of US-born speakers of other languages noted above.

The share also depends on the language. Among US speakers, 55.6% of Vietnamese speakers, 48.7% of Korean speakers and 48.3% of Chinese speakers report speaking English less than "very well", compared with 38.5% of Spanish speakers, 14.8% of Hindi speakers and 13.0%4 of German speakers.

A household measure is narrower. A limited-English-speaking household is one in which no one aged 14 or older speaks only English or speaks English "very well". 4.3% of US households were in that situation in 2025; California (8.2%) and New York (7.8%7) had some of the highest shares.

New green cards in fiscal year 2024

The survey figures above count everyone born abroad, whenever they came. Administrative records from the Department of Homeland Security count a different thing: people granted lawful permanent residence, a green card, in a given year. In fiscal year 2024 there were 1,364,0908 new permanent residents, 4.0 per 1,000 residents3.

Florida recorded the most (219,470), slightly more than California (217,420), although California has about twice as many immigrant residents. Texas (160,400) and New York (136,750) followed. Relative to population, Florida is also first (9.4 per 1,000 residents, 135% above the US figure (4.0 per 1,000 residents)), ahead of New York (6.8 per 1,000 residents) and New Jersey (6.1 per 1,000 residents). West Virginia (0.5 per 1,000 residents), Montana (0.6 per 1,000 residents) and Mississippi (0.7 per 1,000 residents3) had the lowest rates. The median state recorded 9,0008.

New lawful permanent residents per 1,000 residents, fiscal year 2024
Florida9.4
New York6.8
New Jersey6.1
California5.5
Nevada5.2
Texas5.1
Massachusetts5.1
Maryland5.0
Virginia4.3
Washington4.2
District of Columbia4.2
United States4.0
Rhode Island4.0
Illinois3.5
Connecticut3.5
Nebraska3.4

Source: States Demographics, Computed. Period: FY2024.

Show the numbers
StateGreen cards per 1,000
Florida9.4
New York6.8
New Jersey6.1
California5.5
Nevada5.2
Texas5.1
Massachusetts5.1
Maryland5.0
Virginia4.3
Washington4.2
District of Columbia4.2
United States4.0
Rhode Island4.0
Illinois3.5
Connecticut3.5
Nebraska3.4

A green card is not the same as an arrival. DHS reports new permanent residents in two groups: new arrivals from abroad and adjustments of status by people already in the United States. Year-to-year arrivals and departures are measured by the Census Bureau's net international migration estimates, covered on the migration hub.

Undocumented immigrants

The survey figures on this page include immigrants of every legal status, but they cannot separate the undocumented: the Census Bureau does not collect data on the legal status of the foreign born. The official estimates come from the DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics. The most recent report on its estimates page, posted in April 2024, covers January 2018 to January 2022 and includes a breakdown by state of residence. This site does not rank states on that measure because no more recent official state estimate has been published.

Three sources, three questions

  • American Community Survey, 2025 (1-year). How many residents were born abroad, whether they are citizens, where they were born and which language they speak at home. These are survey estimates with 90% margins of error; differences and changes on this page are described as higher, lower, up or down only when they are statistically significant.
  • American Community Survey, 2020–2024 (5-year). Detailed languages such as Navajo, Haitian or Hmong, for which one year of survey responses is too thin in many states. These shares are labelled with their period and are not directly comparable with the 2025 figures.
  • DHS Yearbook of Immigration Statistics, fiscal year 2024. Administrative counts of new green cards, with no margin of error. They measure a flow during one year, not the number of immigrants living in a state.

Two language categories need care. The 2025 state shares group French, Haitian and Cajun together, which is why that category is large in Florida; the detailed 2020–2024 tables list French (including Cajun) and Haitian separately. The language questions cover people aged 5 and older, while the foreign-born share covers residents of all ages.

Questions about immigrants and languages by state

Which state has the most immigrants?

California, with 10,687,553 foreign-born residents in 2025 (±63,533), 27.2% of its population. Texas (5,850,851), Florida (5,336,897) and New York (4,673,727) follow. By share, New Jersey (24.9%1) is second.

What percent of the US population are immigrants?

14.7% (±0.1 percentage points) in 2025, or 50.4 million people, according to the American Community Survey. The share was down from 14.8% in 2024. The typical state is well below the national figure: the median state's share is 8.4%1.

What is the most common language in the US after English?

Spanish. 44.9 million people aged 5 and older spoke Spanish at home in 2025, 13.9%2 of that age group. Chinese (3.8 million), Tagalog (2.0 million) and Vietnamese (1.7 million4) come next.

Which state has the most Spanish speakers?

California: 10,627,004 people (±65,474) spoke Spanish at home in 2025, 28.5% of residents 5 and older. Texas had 8,209,5684 (27.6%), and New Mexico has the third-highest share (24.0%2).

Rankings on this topic

Sources

  1. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05002; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  2. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table C16001; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  3. States Demographics, Computed; FY2024; released November 12, 2026.
  4. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B16001; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  5. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, table B16001; 2020-2024; released January 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  6. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table B05001; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  7. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-year estimates, 2025, table C16002; 2025; released October 29, 2026. data.census.gov
  8. DHS Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024; Fiscal year 2024 (Oct 2023-Sep 2024). ohss.dhs.gov
  9. Census Bureau, 2024 Cartographic Boundary Files; table cb_2024_us_state_20m; 2024; released April 10, 2025. www2.census.gov

Margins of error (±) are at the 90% confidence level. A difference is called significant only when it passes the Census Bureau's test at that level. How every figure is built: methodology. Found an error? Write to [email protected]; corrections are listed on the updates page.