question: BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests an increasing demand for culturally and linguistically responsive disease prevention programs and health interventions. It is important to understand how individuals seek health information to address the potential needs of the health care system. METHODS: Latent classes of health information-seeking behaviors in a linguistically mixed region of Italy were explored through a population-based telephone survey of ten health information sources. Data were collected in August and September 2014 from 504 adults in South Tyrol, Italy (primary language German, 68%; Italian, 28%), and analyzed using latent class analysis and latent class multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: Three classes of health information-seeking behaviors emerged: “multidimensional” (23.3%), “interpersonal” (38.6%) and “technical/online” (38.1%). Compared to the “technical/online” class, “interpersonal” class members were older, had lower education than high school, and were less likely to be of Italian ethnicity. “Multidimensional” class members were more likely to be female, older, and of German ethnicity than those in the “technical/online” class. CONCLUSIONS: Linguistic ethnicity explains membership in classes on health information-seeking behavior. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider the health information-seeking behaviors of population subgroups to promote health and medical care in linguistic minority groups. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-022-00847-w.