In the Russian Empire, 1.45% of the population identified German as their native language, distinguishing themselves as "non-assimilated Germans." Some regions, like present-day Poland and the Volga area, had German populations exceeding 40%.

The highest concentration of Germans was in the western regions of the Empire. For instance, in the Kamyschinsky District (formerly part of Saratov Governorate, now Volgograd Oblast), a remarkable 40.3% of residents listed German as their mother tongue.