French is the official language of Senegal, though it was adopted during the colonial era of the nation. There are four indigenous languages that are predominately spoken in Senegal (Wolof, Bambara, Tukulor and Mandingo).

Many of the cultural groups in Senegal follow a caste-styled system of social order. Systems generally separate their populations into three groups: nobles/freeborn, casted (ranked specialist groups), and slaves/their descendents. The earliest evidence of caste systems in Senegal comes from the Wolof people in the 1500s.

Historically, the Wolof caste system is divided into three sections: noble/freeborn (known as géer), casted (known as ñeeño), and slaves/descendants of slaves (known as jaam). Traditionally, géer owned land and had poltical control while the ñeeño were free but lacked the power to distribute land or contribute politcally. The ñeeño are divided into subgroups based on occupations. Examples include tëgg (blacksmiths), lawbe (woodworkers), and géwël/griots (musicians).

The caste system has officially been abolished since Senegalese independence, though it remains informally through people's perceptions of indentity and surnames. Stereotypes still exist about certain casted groups while many Senegalese citizens take pride in their casted identities. Marriages across caste lines is still rare today.

The Wolof people are the largest ethnic group in Senegal with an estimated population of 6 million. About 90% of the Wolof population resides in Senegal while many live in Mauratania, Gambiaand countless major cities around the world. The Wolof people are known for their hospitality (which translates to "teranga" in Wolof). This welcoming nature has extended so deep into Senegalese culture that the nation has become known as the "Land of Teranga."

Islam is the predominant religion in Senegal, with an estimated 95.9% of the population identifying as Muslim. Major brotherhoods of Sufism in Senegal include: Tijanism, Mouridism, Qadiriyya, and Layenism. 4.1% of the population indentifies as Christian, of which the predominant groups are Catholics, Protestants, and segments that combine Christianty with indegenous religions.