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 Bega Valley (A), accounting for 90% (32,334 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,572 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bega Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bega Valley (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bega Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
32,334
% of total
90.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
32,334
90.0%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,412
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,412
6.7%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
133
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
133
0.4%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
73
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
73
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
71
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
71
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
70
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
70
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
54
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
54
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
53
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
53
0.1%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
48
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
48
0.1%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
46
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,572
+0.5pp
Not stated
-70
-0.8pp
German
-23
-0.1pp
Thai
+16
0.0pp
Spanish
+27
+0.1pp
French
+6
0.0pp
Mandarin
+19
+0.1pp
Italian
-13
-0.1pp
Nepali
+45
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bega Valley (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 | 32,334 | 90.0% | 86.8% | 29,762 | 89.5% | 87.1% | +2,572 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,412 | 6.7% | 6.6% | 2,482 | 7.5% | 7.1% | -70 | -0.8pp |
| German | 133 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 156 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -23 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 73 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 57 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 71 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 44 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| French | 70 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 64 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 54 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 35 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 53 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.5% | -13 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 48 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +45 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 46 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 43 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 35,945 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 33,248 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,697 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.