Telugu Americans
Telugu Americans
Telugu Americans are United States residents whose native language is Telugu. Most have roots in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with people also coming from nearby states. Since the U.S. Census does not count Telugu as a separate group, population estimates are based on Telugu-language speakers, about 1.2 million people.
Where they live
Telugu Americans are concentrated in many big metro areas, including the San Francisco Bay Area, the Texas Triangle (Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston), the Delaware Valley (Philadelphia area), Chicagoland, Central New Jersey, Northern Virginia, New York City, Greater Los Angeles, Seattle, and Baltimore. Smaller communities exist in other cities across the country, such as Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and Kansas City.
Language and religion
The common language is Telugu, with many also speaking American English. The main religion among Telugu Americans is Hinduism, with a significant number of Christians and Muslims as well.
Education and work
Many Telugu Americans study and work in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Between 2008 and 2012, the Telugu states sent more than 26,000 students to the United States, most pursuing science and engineering degrees. Telugu Americans are one of the larger Indian American groups.
Growth and language use
Telugu is reported as one of the fastest-growing languages in the United States, with a recent increase of about 86% over seven years. Telugu was also included on voter registration and some ballots in the 2020 elections.
History and challenges
Early immigrants came from the Krishna and Godavari river deltas in Andhra Pradesh. Since 2014, newcomers have come from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, from urban and rural areas. Telugu Americans have faced hate crimes, including the 2017 Olathe, Kansas shooting and the 2023 Allen, Texas shooting.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 19:43 (CET).