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 Break O'Day (M), accounting for 90.2% (6,108 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 586 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Break O'Day (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Break O'Day (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Break O'Day (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
6,108
% of total
90.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
6,108
90.2%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
456
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
456
6.7%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.4%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
22
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
22
0.3%
-
French
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
17
0.3%
+0.2pp
Japanese
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+586
-0.7pp
Not stated
+2
-0.8pp
German
+8
+0.1pp
French
+8
+0.2pp
Japanese
+5
+0.1pp
Dutch
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Break O'Day (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,108 | 90.2% | 88.9% | 5,522 | 90.9% | 89.8% | +586 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 456 | 6.7% | 5.6% | 454 | 7.5% | 6.7% | +2 | -0.8pp |
| German | 28 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 22 | 0.3% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| French | 17 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Japanese | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 6,775 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,076 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +699 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.