Research Reveals U.S. Cities with the Most Swearing

While many cultures deem profanity unacceptable, it remains a popular way for people to express themselves. Often referred to as swearing, cursing, or cussing, the use of profane language can convey a range of emotions—be it intensity, humor, anger, or joy—depending on the situation.

Profanity takes on different meanings across the globe, with local variations even within countries. Despite these differences, one thing is clear: profanity holds a universal power that resonates across all cultures.

At LingualNeeds, a language learning platform focused on conversational English and online Spanish classes, we conducted a fascinating survey of over 1,500 residents across 30 major U.S. cities to uncover which locations have the highest swearing rates. Participants shared insights on how often they curse, the scenarios that prompt them to swear, and the age they first let a swear word slip. Rest assured, this post will keep things clean and profanity-free!

Key findings

• The average respondent swears 21 times per day.
• The U.S. city that swears the most frequently is Columbus, Ohio, at 36 times per day.
• The average age Americans start using swear words is 11.
• “Taboo” situations Americans are most likely to swear in include work (69%), in front of strangers (67%), and at the dinner table (63%).
• Over half of Americans use swear word substitutions — favorites include “fudge,” “shoot” and “frick.”

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The U.S. cities that swear the most (and the least) 

Americans aren’t shy about using profanity; on average, people drop swear words 21 times daily. This tendency is even more pronounced among younger generations, with Gen Z swearing around 24 times a day, while Baby Boomers clock in at just 10. Additionally, men tend to use more colorful language, averaging 22 swears each day compared to 18 for women.

Residents of Columbus, Ohio, have earned a reputation for having the highest daily swearing rate among major U.S. cities, with an average of 36 expletives per day. Hot on their heels is Las Vegas, Nevada, where locals let loose with about 30 swears daily. Rounding out the top three is Jacksonville, Florida, with an average of 28 swears. While these cities might have a penchant for colorful language, they certainly add a lively flair to everyday conversation!

Every city highlighted on the map exceeds the national average for swearing. But what about those places where profanity is less prevalent? If you’re someone who prefers a more serene environment free from harsh language, consider visiting or settling in one of the following cities that embrace a more genteel approach to conversation.

If you’re seeking cities with a surprisingly low use of profanity, Phoenix, Arizona, and Portland, Oregon, are excellent choices. On average, residents in both cities swear just 14 times a day—about a third less than the national average. Interestingly, this trend of lower profanity usage is common among cities in the Western states.

We inquired about the age at which people first used a swear word, and the findings revealed that most Americans began around the age of 11. However, one city broke the mold—San Jose, California, where residents reported starting to swear at an average age of just 9!

Where Americans use swear words

We explored the places and contexts in which Americans are at ease with using profanity. Interestingly, a significant majority feel comfortable swearing in public, with two-thirds believing it is perfectly acceptable.

A recent survey reveals that Americans are most inclined to swear in the comfort of their homes, with 55% admitting to doing so there. When socializing with friends, 24% let loose with their language, while only 7% reserve their strongest words for driving. Similarly, a comparable percentage swears most frequently at work. Although some workplace cultures may tolerate swearing, the majority of professional environments discourage it, favoring more respectful language instead.

In a recent survey, we asked Americans to evaluate how likely they are to use profanity in situations generally deemed inappropriate, such as at work, during meals, or in the presence of children, elders, or their boss. The results revealed that swearing is most common in the workplace, with 69% of respondents admitting to it. Notably, residents of Philadelphia, Columbus, and Detroit ranked as the most frequent offenders when it comes to using strong language on the job.

Many Americans aren’t shy about using profanity, with 67% admitting to swearing in front of strangers, 63% at the dinner table, and 53% in the presence of older adults. However, they tend to hold back around children, with only 48% willing to curse in their company, and even fewer—39%—are comfortable swearing in front of their boss.

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American swearing habits 

Languages encompass numerous essential elements, such as the setting, manner, and audience of our communication. This holds true for swear words as well! After exploring the locations where Americans tend to curse, we’re eager to delve into their broader swearing habits.

A surprising 54% of Americans admit to cursing at themselves more than anyone else. Friends come in a distant second at 23%, followed by partners at 8%. It appears that when it comes to venting frustration, we’re most likely to unleash our frustrations in self-directed swearing.

In the United States, swearing often serves as a powerful outlet for emotions. People tend to unleash curse words in certain situations—whether they’re experiencing pain, frustration, or even joy. The most typical moments for this expressive language include accidentally injuring themselves, venting during road rage, and reacting to unfortunate news.

You might consider using alternative words to replace swear words. In fact, a significant 57% of Americans choose to do this in specific settings, like when children are present or in professional environments.

Here are our respondents’ favorite swear word substitutions: 

1. Fudge/fudgesicle
2. Shoot
3. Frick/frickin’
4. Crap
5. Dang
6. Heck 
7. Darn/darn it
8. Holy cow
9. Dang/dang it
10. Freaking 
11. Poop
12. Fork
13. Mother trucker
14. Sugar
15. Holy smokes

Conclusion 

One of the delightful aspects of private English lessons is the opportunity to share a laugh with your tutor over colorful language, including amusing swear words. This playful approach can also extend to other languages, like Spanish, making online lessons not only educational but also entertaining!

While using profanity can be amusing, our research reveals that it genuinely mirrors how people communicate in their daily lives. However, it’s important to tread carefully; an ill-timed remark could easily lead to unexpected trouble.

Methodology: Between July 11 and 12, 2022, we conducted a survey involving 1,549 residents from the 30 largest cities in the United States. Participants were required to have lived in their respective cities for a minimum of one year to ensure relevant insights.

Among the respondents, 50% identified as male, 48% as female, and 2% as nonbinary or chose not to specify their gender. In terms of age demographics, 7% were Baby Boomers, 19% Gen X, 51% Millennials, and 23% Gen Z.