In the article the alteration of ethnic makeup in Saratov Region in 2002–2010 is examined. Tendencies of linguistic and national selfidentity of primary ethnic groups in Saratov Region are scrutinized and determined. Based on the results of the 2010 nationwide population census, the strengthening of the Russian language as primary lingua franca across the region has been registered, as well as persistence of the so-called “national” languages among the peoples of Caucasus and Central Asia.
