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 Byron (A), accounting for 80.4% (28,996 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 3,441 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Byron (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Byron (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 Byron (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
28,996
% of total
80.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
28,996
80.4%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,652
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
3,652
10.1%
-2.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
580
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
580
1.6%
+1.0pp
German
2021 count
408
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
408
1.1%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
378
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
378
1.0%
+0.3pp
Portuguese
2021 count
310
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
310
0.9%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
300
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
300
0.8%
+0.2pp
Hebrew
2021 count
239
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
239
0.7%
+0.1pp
Japanese
2021 count
217
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
217
0.6%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
106
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
106
0.3%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+3,441
-0.6pp
Not stated
-223
-2.2pp
Spanish
+402
+1.0pp
German
+90
+0.1pp
French
+149
+0.3pp
Portuguese
+176
+0.5pp
Italian
+96
+0.2pp
Hebrew
+49
+0.1pp
Japanese
+54
+0.1pp
Dutch
+31
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Byron (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 | 28,996 | 80.4% | 86.8% | 25,555 | 81.0% | 87.1% | +3,441 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,652 | 10.1% | 6.6% | 3,875 | 12.3% | 7.1% | -223 | -2.2pp |
| Spanish | 580 | 1.6% | 0.3% | 178 | 0.6% | 0.2% | +402 | +1.0pp |
| German | 408 | 1.1% | 0.2% | 318 | 1.0% | 0.3% | +90 | +0.1pp |
| French | 378 | 1.0% | 0.1% | 229 | 0.7% | 0.1% | +149 | +0.3pp |
| Portuguese | 310 | 0.9% | 0.1% | 134 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +176 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 300 | 0.8% | 0.4% | 204 | 0.6% | 0.5% | +96 | +0.2pp |
| Hebrew | 239 | 0.7% | 0.0% | 190 | 0.6% | 0.0% | +49 | +0.1pp |
| Japanese | 217 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 163 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +54 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 106 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 75 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +31 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 36,070 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 31,547 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,523 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.