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 Central Coast (M) (Tas.), accounting for 92.5% (21,032 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,291 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Central Coast (M) (Tas.) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Central Coast (M) (Tas.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Coast (M) (Tas.), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
21,032
% of total
92.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21,032
92.5%
0.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,170
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,170
5.1%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
69
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
69
0.3%
+0.2pp
Dutch
2021 count
64
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.3%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
40
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
40
0.2%
-
German
2021 count
31
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
31
0.1%
-0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
22
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.1%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
17
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17
0.1%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
17
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.1%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.1%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,291
0.0pp
Not stated
-77
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+49
+0.2pp
Dutch
+6
0.0pp
German
-4
-0.1pp
Punjabi
+16
+0.1pp
French
-1
0.0pp
Filipino
+7
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+8
+0.1pp
Spanish
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Central Coast (M) (Tas.). 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 | 21,032 | 92.5% | 88.9% | 19,741 | 92.5% | 89.8% | +1,291 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,170 | 5.1% | 5.6% | 1,247 | 5.8% | 6.7% | -77 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 69 | 0.3% | 0.6% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +49 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 64 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 58 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 40 | 0.2% | 0.9% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| German | 31 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 22 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| French | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 22,730 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,352 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,378 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.