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 Broken Hill (C), accounting for 88.1% (15,480 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 225 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Broken Hill (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Broken Hill (C) 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 Broken Hill (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
15,480
% of total
88.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
15,480
88.1%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,513
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,513
8.6%
-0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
70
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
70
0.4%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
66
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
66
0.4%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
52
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
52
0.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
32
0.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28
0.2%
+0.2pp
Gujarati
2021 count
24
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
0.1%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.1%
0.0pp
Paakantyi
2021 count
20
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
20
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-225
-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
Gujarati
+16
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+9
0.0pp
Paakantyi
+11
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Broken Hill (C). 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 | 15,480 | 88.1% | 86.8% | 15,705 | 88.8% | 87.1% | -225 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,513 | 8.6% | 6.6% | 1,558 | 8.8% | 7.1% | -45 | -0.2pp |
| Filipino | 70 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 38 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +32 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 66 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 52 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 42 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 28 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +22 | +0.2pp |
| Gujarati | 24 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Paakantyi | 20 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 17,563 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 17,691 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -128 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.