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 West Bathurst, accounting for 88.1% (3,178 people). This share was higher than Bathurst Regional (A) (87.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 155 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Bathurst - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Bathurst 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 West Bathurst, with comparison markers for Bathurst Regional (A).
English
2021 count
3,178
% of total
88.1%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
3,178
88.1%
-2.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
258
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
258
7.1%
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
17
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.5%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
French
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-155
-2.7pp
Not stated
+39
+1.1pp
Vietnamese
0
0.0pp
French
+2
+0.1pp
Filipino
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Bathurst. 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 | 3,178 | 88.1% | 87.7% | 3,333 | 90.8% | 86.9% | -155 | -2.7pp |
| Not stated | 258 | 7.1% | 6.9% | 219 | 6.0% | 9.0% | +39 | +1.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 17 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| French | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 10 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 3,609 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,670 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -61 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.