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 Bathurst Regional (A), accounting for 87.7% (38,175 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,272 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bathurst Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bathurst Regional (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 Bathurst Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
38,175
% of total
87.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
38,175
87.7%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,017
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
3,017
6.9%
-2.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
183
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
183
0.4%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
172
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
172
0.4%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
132
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
132
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
111
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
111
0.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
96
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
96
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
86
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
86
0.2%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
81
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
81
0.2%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
80
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
80
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,272
+0.8pp
Not stated
-687
-2.1pp
Nepali
+134
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+108
+0.2pp
Arabic
+28
0.0pp
Tagalog
+45
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-7
0.0pp
Spanish
+28
+0.1pp
Urdu
+58
+0.1pp
Hindi
+21
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bathurst Regional (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 | 38,175 | 87.7% | 86.8% | 35,903 | 86.9% | 87.1% | +2,272 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 3,017 | 6.9% | 6.6% | 3,704 | 9.0% | 7.1% | -687 | -2.1pp |
| Nepali | 183 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 49 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +134 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 172 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 64 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +108 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 132 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 104 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +28 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 111 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +45 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 96 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 103 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 86 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 58 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 81 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +58 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 80 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 59 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 43,552 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 41,296 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,256 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.