According to a Statistical Atlas of the US report based on US Census Bureau data this population ranges from fourth-generation immigrants to recently-arrived students.California hosts the largest Telugu-speaking population – of close to 2 lakh – closely followed by Texas (1.5 lakh) and New Jersey (1.1 lakh). States like Illinois (83,000), Virginia (78,000), and Georgia (52,000) too have a significant pool of people from the two Telugu states. Data shows each of these states have seen an almost four-fold rise in numbers. Local Telugu associations say these numbers are in line with their own estimates.
Out of 350, Telugu is now America’s 11th most-spoken language
Between 60,000 and 70,000 students arrive in the US each year, along with close to 10,000 H1B visa holders. About 80% of them are registered with us, said Ashok Kolla, former secretary of the Telugu Association of North America. “Over 75% of them settle here in the US, mostly in Dallas, the Bay Area, North Carolina, New Jersey, Atlanta, Florida, and Nashville.”
The older generations are largely entrepreneurs, whereas over 80% of the younger lot are in IT and finance. Telugu influence has seen such a rise that it is now the 11th most spoken foreign language – out of 350 languages – in the US, and the third most spoken Indian language, preceded by Hindi and Gujarati.
“When I moved to Dallas last year, I felt right at home,” said Vinay K, who moved to Texas for a data analyst’s job. “From my PG to my office, from streets to malls, I was surrounded by Telugus. Most of my colleagues from India are from AP and Telangana, which helped me settle down and not feel homesick,” the young professional said.
Old-timers recount how communities around them have seen a shift in the ethnic composition over the years. “I don’t remember knowing more than four or five Telugu families when I first moved. But over the years the community has grown significantly. It’s like we have a third state after AP and Telangana in the US. There are more footfalls in temples and community spaces now,” said T Raghavendra Rao, a 63-year-old businessman who’s lived in NJ for over five decades.
According to the Indian Mobility Report 2024, AP and Telangana form the largest cohort of Indian students in the US – accounting for 12.5% of the total student crowd. So much so that Kent State University has started receiving their new batches with signs that read “Vidhyardhulaku Swagatham (Welcome Students)”. “I was moved by this gesture,” said Indra Varsini, pursuing a master’s in IT in NJ. “I feel I am not too far from my own people,” she added.