Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Broken Hill (part), accounting for 88.1% (15,584 people). This share was similar to Broken Hill (C) (88.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 219 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Broken Hill (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Broken Hill (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Broken Hill (C) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Broken Hill (part), with comparison markers for Broken Hill (C).
English
Not stated
Filipino
Tagalog
Italian
Malayalam
Arabic
Mandarin
Gujarati
Paakantyi
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-219
-0.7pp
Not stated
-45
-0.2pp
Filipino
+32
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+29
+0.2pp
Italian
+10
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+11
+0.1pp
Arabic
+22
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+12
0.0pp
Gujarati
+16
+0.1pp
Paakantyi
+11
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Broken Hill (part). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Broken Hill (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Broken Hill (C)% | Count | % | Broken Hill (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,584 | 88.1% | 88.1% | 15,803 | 88.8% | 88.8% | -219 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,523 | 8.6% | 8.6% | 1,568 | 8.8% | 8.8% | -45 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 70 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 38 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +32 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 66 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 52 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 42 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Gujarati | 24 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Paakantyi | 20 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 17,686 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -119 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.