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 Coffs Harbour (C), accounting for 84.8% (66,787 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 4,533 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Coffs Harbour (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Coffs Harbour (C) 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 Coffs Harbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
66,787
% of total
84.8%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
66,787
84.8%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,740
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
4,740
6.0%
-1.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
1,808
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,808
2.3%
+0.5pp
Kurdish
2021 count
367
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
367
0.5%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
365
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
365
0.5%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
281
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
281
0.4%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
245
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
245
0.3%
0.0pp
Chin Haka
2021 count
207
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
207
0.3%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
190
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
190
0.2%
0.0pp
Burmese
2021 count
188
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
188
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+4,533
-0.6pp
Not stated
-495
-1.2pp
Punjabi
+526
+0.5pp
Mandarin
+135
+0.2pp
German
-41
0.0pp
Spanish
+34
0.0pp
Chin Haka
+75
+0.1pp
Arabic
+39
0.0pp
Burmese
+83
+0.1pp
Italian
-41
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Coffs Harbour (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 | 66,787 | 84.8% | 86.8% | 62,254 | 85.4% | 87.1% | +4,533 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,740 | 6.0% | 6.6% | 5,235 | 7.2% | 7.1% | -495 | -1.2pp |
| Punjabi | 1,808 | 2.3% | 0.3% | 1,282 | 1.8% | 0.2% | +526 | +0.5pp |
| Kurdish | 367 | 0.5% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 365 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 230 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +135 | +0.2pp |
| German | 281 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 322 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -41 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 245 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 211 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +34 | 0.0pp |
| Chin Haka | 207 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 132 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +75 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 190 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 151 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +39 | 0.0pp |
| Burmese | 188 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 105 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +83 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 78,727 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 72,923 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,804 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.