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 Carrathool (A), accounting for 78.3% (2,247 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 90 people and 8.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Carrathool (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Carrathool (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 Carrathool (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
2,247
% of total
78.3%
Change from 2016
-8.2pp
2,247
78.3%
-8.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
340
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
340
11.8%
+3.6pp
Punjabi
2021 count
36
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
36
1.3%
+0.9pp
Spanish
2021 count
31
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-
31
1.1%
-
Malay
2021 count
29
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-
29
1.0%
-
Gujarati
2021 count
25
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
25
0.9%
+0.5pp
Korean
2021 count
21
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
21
0.7%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
18
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.6%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
18
0.6%
+0.4pp
Fijian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.6%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-90
-8.2pp
Not stated
+118
+3.6pp
Punjabi
+24
+0.9pp
Gujarati
+14
+0.5pp
Korean
-1
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+7
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+13
+0.4pp
Arabic
+12
+0.4pp
Data table
Language used at home for Carrathool (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 | 2,247 | 78.3% | 86.8% | 2,337 | 86.5% | 87.1% | -90 | -8.2pp |
| Not stated | 340 | 11.8% | 6.6% | 222 | 8.2% | 7.1% | +118 | +3.6pp |
| Punjabi | 36 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +24 | +0.9pp |
| Spanish | 31 | 1.1% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Malay | 29 | 1.0% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Gujarati | 25 | 0.9% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.0% | +14 | +0.5pp |
| Korean | 21 | 0.7% | 0.1% | 22 | 0.8% | 0.1% | -1 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 18 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.4pp |
| Fijian | 16 | 0.6% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 2,871 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +168 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.