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 Armidale Regional, accounting for 79.7% (23,203 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%).
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Armidale Regional - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Armidale Regional 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 Armidale Regional, with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
23,203
% of total
79.7%
Change from 2016
-
23,203
79.7%
-
Not stated
2021 count
2,924
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-
2,924
10.0%
-
Kurdish
2021 count
269
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
269
0.9%
-
Nepali
2021 count
268
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-
268
0.9%
-
Inadequately described
2021 count
247
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-
247
0.8%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
198
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
198
0.7%
-
Arabic
2021 count
129
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
129
0.4%
-
Bengali
2021 count
113
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
113
0.4%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
107
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
107
0.4%
-
German
2021 count
97
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
97
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Language used at home for Armidale Regional. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| English | 23,203 | 79.7% | 86.8% | - | - | 87.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 2,924 | 10.0% | 6.6% | - | - | 7.1% | - | - |
| Kurdish | 269 | 0.9% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Nepali | 268 | 0.9% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Inadequately described | 247 | 0.8% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 198 | 0.7% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Arabic | 129 | 0.4% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Bengali | 113 | 0.4% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 107 | 0.4% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| German | 97 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| Total | 29,120 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.