This paper analyzes the determinants of bilingualism (i.e., speaks a language other than
English at home) among children age 5 to 18 years in the American Community Survey,
2005-2011. Two groups of children are considered: those born in the US (native born) and
foreign-born children who immigrated prior to age 14 (the 1.5 generation). The analyses are
conducted overall, within genders, and within racial and ethnic groups. Bilingualism is more
prevalent if the parents are foreign born, less proficient in English, of the same ancestry
(linguistic) group, and if the child lives in an ethnic (linguistic) concentration area. Although
the effects are relatively smaller, a foreign-born grandparent living in the household increases
child bilingualism, while a higher level of parental education tends to decrease it. Children of
Asian and especially of Hispanic origin are more likely to be bilingual than their white, nonHispanic
counterparts. Native-born Indigenous children are more likely to be bilingual.