A quick overlook into the most diverse urban area in the world.

The borough of Queens in New York City is considered the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world. Experts believe that around 138 languages can be spoken the in the area that is the second most populated of NYC with its 2.2 million inhabitants (the first one is Brooklyn with 2.5 million, according to the 2010 Census).

The county encompasses 27% of New York City's population of 8.2M people. The U.S. Census Bureau reports its population is composed of 50% white, 28% Hispanic, 24% Asian, 21% black, and 3% mixed race. Almost half (48%) of Queens residents are foreign-born, and 56% speak a language other than English at home.

At home, 56% of the population 5 years and over speaks a language other than English. Among the 5 boroughs, Queens is also the one with the highest number of residents who consider their English as less than "very well." Out of the 56% we just mentioned, only half (28%) speak English well. The other half speaks mainly Spanish (44%), followed by Asian and Pacific Island Languages (28%), and Indo-European Languages (25%).

Sources:

2010 Census | Queens Library | Brownstoner | The New York Times | NY.gov