Cultural diversity

Language used at home

About this topic

Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.

This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.

Interpretation notes

  • The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
  • Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.

Key insight

In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Albury (C), accounting for 85.8% (48,134 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,014 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Albury (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Albury (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Albury (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.

Albury (C)
Regional NSW

English

2021 count

48,134

% of total

85.8%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Not stated

2021 count

3,145

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Nepali

2021 count

793

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Punjabi

2021 count

753

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Mandarin

2021 count

203

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tagalog

2021 count

201

% of total

0.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Hindi

2021 count

173

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Swahili

2021 count

170

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Greek

2021 count

131

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Italian

2021 count

131

% of total

0.2%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Language used at home for Albury (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.

Language used at home for Albury (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Language used at home for Albury (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional NSW%Count%Regional NSW%Countpp
English48,13485.8%86.8%44,12086.4%87.1%+4,014-0.6pp
Not stated3,1455.6%6.6%3,5096.9%7.1%-364-1.3pp
Nepali7931.4%0.2%5191.0%0.1%+274+0.4pp
Punjabi7531.3%0.3%2690.5%0.2%+484+0.8pp
Mandarin2030.4%0.4%1600.3%0.4%+43+0.1pp
Tagalog2010.4%0.2%1200.2%0.2%+81+0.2pp
Hindi1730.3%0.1%1450.3%0.1%+280.0pp
Swahili1700.3%0.0%350.1%0.0%+135+0.2pp
Greek1310.2%0.2%1450.3%0.2%-14-0.1pp
Italian1310.2%0.4%1080.2%0.5%+230.0pp
Total56,108100.0%100.0%51,045100.0%100.0%+5,0630.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.