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 Berrigan (A), accounting for 87.3% (7,560 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 184 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Berrigan (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Berrigan (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Berrigan (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
7,560
% of total
87.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
7,560
87.3%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
838
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
838
9.7%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.3%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
23
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
23
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.2%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.2%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+184
-0.1pp
Not stated
+14
-0.1pp
Italian
+2
0.0pp
Arabic
+16
+0.2pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Malayalam
+9
+0.1pp
Spanish
+7
+0.1pp
Filipino
+8
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-2
0.0pp
Dutch
+5
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Berrigan (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 | 7,560 | 87.3% | 86.8% | 7,376 | 87.4% | 87.1% | +184 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 838 | 9.7% | 6.6% | 824 | 9.8% | 7.1% | +14 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 26 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 23 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.2pp |
| German | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 16 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 16 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 8,661 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,439 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +222 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.