Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Kelso (NSW), accounting for 89.9% (9,015 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 947 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kelso (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Kelso (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Bathurst Regional (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kelso (NSW), with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
English
Not stated
Arabic
Punjabi
Nepali
Tagalog
Cantonese
Urdu
Tamil
Thai
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+947
-0.2pp
Not stated
-68
-1.3pp
Arabic
+4
0.0pp
Punjabi
+29
+0.3pp
Nepali
+32
+0.3pp
Tagalog
+11
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+1
0.0pp
Tamil
+15
+0.2pp
Thai
+12
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Kelso (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Bathurst Regional (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | % | Bathurst Regional (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 9,015 | 89.9% | 87.7% | 8,068 | 90.1% | 86.9% | +947 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 481 | 4.8% | 6.9% | 549 | 6.1% | 9.0% | -68 | -1.3pp |
| Arabic | 47 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 43 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 42 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 41 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +32 | +0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 29 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 21 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Urdu | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Tamil | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +15 | +0.2pp |
| Thai | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 10,024 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,958 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,066 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.