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 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 used 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
2021 count
9,015
% of total
89.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
9,015
89.9%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
481
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
481
4.8%
-1.3pp
Arabic
2021 count
47
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
0.5%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
42
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
42
0.4%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
41
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
41
0.4%
+0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
29
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.3%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.2%
0.0pp
Urdu
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.2%
-
Tamil
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19
0.2%
+0.2pp
Thai
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.2%
+0.1pp
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 used 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.