NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
In the past eight years, the number of Telugu-speaking people in the United States has increased dramatically, growing four times in size. Telugu is now the 11th most spoken language in the country, according to a report from the Statistical Atlas of the US, based on US Census Bureau data.
The Telugu-speaking population in the US has grown significantly, from 320,000 in 2016 to 1.23 million in 2024
California has the largest Telugu-speaking population, with nearly 200,000 residents, followed by Texas with 150,000 and New Jersey with 110,000. Other states like Illinois, Virginia, and Georgia also have significant Telugu communities, with 83,000, 78,000, and 52,000 speakers respectively.
The Centre for Immigration, an American think tank, revealed that the number of Telugu speakers among US residents rose by 86% between 2010 and 2017, making it the fastest-growing language in the country. In 2017, there were more than 400,000 Telugu speakers in the US, nearly double the number in 2010, reports the Times of India.
Every year, between 60,000 and 70,000 students and around 10,000 H-1B visa holders from Telugu-speaking regions arrive in the US.
The Telugu community in the US is a blend of older entrepreneurs and a younger generation primarily working in IT and finance. According to the Indian Mobility Report 2024, students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh make up 12.5% of the Indian student population in the US. This cultural presence is evident at institutions like Kent State University, where welcome pamphlets for new students include greetings in Telugu, reports TOI.
Cover photo: NATA celebration in Atlanta. File photo by G.V. Rao
