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 Balranald (A), accounting for 77.3% (1,695 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 204 people and 6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Balranald (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Balranald (A) 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 Balranald (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
1,695
% of total
77.3%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
1,695
77.3%
-6.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
305
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
305
13.9%
+3.5pp
Italian
2021 count
48
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
48
2.2%
-0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
38
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
38
1.7%
+1.2pp
Fijian
2021 count
22
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
22
1.0%
+0.5pp
Tongan
2021 count
15
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.7%
+0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-204
-6.0pp
Not stated
+68
+3.5pp
Italian
-20
-0.8pp
Mandarin
+26
+1.2pp
Fijian
+10
+0.5pp
Tongan
+4
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Balranald (A). 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 | 1,695 | 77.3% | 86.8% | 1,899 | 83.3% | 87.1% | -204 | -6.0pp |
| Not stated | 305 | 13.9% | 6.6% | 237 | 10.4% | 7.1% | +68 | +3.5pp |
| Italian | 48 | 2.2% | 0.4% | 68 | 3.0% | 0.5% | -20 | -0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 38 | 1.7% | 0.4% | 12 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +26 | +1.2pp |
| Fijian | 22 | 1.0% | 0.0% | 12 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.5pp |
| Tongan | 15 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 11 | 0.5% | 0.0% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 14 | 0.6% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 2,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,280 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -86 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.