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 Clarence Valley (A), accounting for 88.8% (48,046 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,296 people, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Clarence Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Clarence Valley (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 Clarence Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
48,046
% of total
88.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
48,046
88.8%
-1.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,573
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
4,573
8.5%
+0.9pp
Punjabi
2021 count
116
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
116
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
103
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
103
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
82
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
82
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
81
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
81
0.1%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
64
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
64
0.1%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
59
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
59
0.1%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
57
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
57
0.1%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
56
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
56
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,296
-1.5pp
Not stated
+735
+0.9pp
Punjabi
+68
+0.1pp
German
+17
0.0pp
Mandarin
+20
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+27
0.0pp
Spanish
+6
0.0pp
Thai
+21
0.0pp
Dutch
-1
0.0pp
Cantonese
-21
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Clarence Valley (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 | 48,046 | 88.8% | 86.8% | 45,750 | 90.3% | 87.1% | +2,296 | -1.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,573 | 8.5% | 6.6% | 3,838 | 7.6% | 7.1% | +735 | +0.9pp |
| Punjabi | 116 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 48 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +68 | +0.1pp |
| German | 103 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 86 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +17 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 82 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 62 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +20 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 81 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 54 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +27 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 64 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 58 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 59 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 38 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 57 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 58 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 56 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 77 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -21 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 54,098 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,434 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.