San Francisco Language Access Ordinance Report 2018 San Francisco Language Access Ordinance Summary Re | Page 12

SNAPSHOT OF SF
Despite its relatively small land size, high density, and growing unaffordability, San Francisco
continues to rank among one of the country’s most diverse and economically vibrant cities.
With nearly half of San Francisco households speaking a language other than English, language
access services are critical to ensure full participation by immigrant and monolingual residents for
whom English is not a primary language. This includes residents as well as those who work in or
travel to the city regularly to conduct business.  
850,282 34.9%
Total San Francisco
population
Total foreign born
population
1 IN 3 SF RESIDENTS
66.1%
Total U.S. born
population
With 35% of its residents born outside
of the United States, San Francisco is
one of the most culturally and
linguistically diverse cities in the
country. This adds to the challenge of
IS AN IMMIGRANT
44%
40+
hard-to-reach populations.
San Francisco residents over the age of 5
speak a language other than English at home
 languages spoken
in San Francisco 
12 | LAO 2018
ensuring equal delivery of services for
163
languages spoken
in the San
Francisco Bay Area