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 Bellingen (A), accounting for 88.9% (11,768 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 319 people, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Bellingen (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Bellingen (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 Bellingen (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
11,768
% of total
88.9%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
11,768
88.9%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
997
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
997
7.5%
+1.0pp
German
2021 count
93
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
93
0.7%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
45
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
45
0.3%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
44
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.3%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.2%
+0.1pp
Hungarian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.1%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.1%
0.0pp
Swedish
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+319
-1.5pp
Not stated
+179
+1.0pp
German
+27
+0.2pp
Spanish
+3
0.0pp
Dutch
0
0.0pp
French
-1
0.0pp
Italian
+8
+0.1pp
Hungarian
+12
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+7
0.0pp
Swedish
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Bellingen (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 | 11,768 | 88.9% | 86.8% | 11,449 | 90.4% | 87.1% | +319 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 997 | 7.5% | 6.6% | 818 | 6.5% | 7.1% | +179 | +1.0pp |
| German | 93 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 66 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 45 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 42 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 44 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 44 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| French | 27 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 26 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Hungarian | 16 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 15 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Swedish | 14 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 13,240 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,660 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +580 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.