What language do they speak in Florida? Look at the top 5 most spoken
Florida’s top 5 languages include English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole; reflecting its global roots and diversity.
English is the dominant language choice in Florida with more than 60% of residentsusing English in our everyday lives. English has been the official language of the state since the 19th century; however, Florida's unique multicultural history, immigration patterns, and languages, has infused many more languages into our everyday lives.
In all neighborhoods from Miami, Orlando and Tampa, different languages are being spoken as they run side by side; especially Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and French, the languages of communities that now reside in Florida.
The top 5 Languages spoken in Florida
- English
English remains dominant, accounting for approximately 60.2% of the population speaking it at home. It rides on the back of being the dominant language of schooling, governments, and businesses that operate in Florida. - Spanish
Spanish falls in second with 20.9% of Floridians have Spanish as their home language. Florida's relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean explains its presence. - Haitian Creole
Haitian creole comes in third with 2.1%. It is very commonly used in the South Florida region of the state, which has a long history of Haitian immigration. - French
French, many of carried as Cajun dialects, is used in 0.6% of households in the state. A result of the period of migration and its remote historic presence by way of the Atlantic Triangle Trade. - Portuguese
Portuguese has 0.5% of the population speaking it, often by immigrants from Brazil and parts of Africa. Portuguese is the only language on this list whose use is primarily related to urban centers.
One of the factors of cultural diversity in Florida is migration, which contributed to speaking different languages. Photo: Eric Sachs Seo
Why speaking more than one language matters in Florida ?
Besides being a tourist destination, Florida is a significant transport hub that stretches the U.S. westward to Latin America and southward to the Caribbean. Approximately 6% of the United States’ international trade flows through Florida, so language skills are extremely valuable in commerce, real estate, law, and other fields.
Tourism is also prominent. In 2023, Florida welcomed more than 135 million visitors, including over 8 million international visitors. There is strong demand for bilingual workers in tourism. If you work in a hotel, airport, or theme park, the chances are that speaking a second language will be a job requirement in Florida's most vibrant industries.
