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 Coonamble (A), accounting for 83.9% (3,122 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 146 people, while its share rose by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Coonamble (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Coonamble (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 Coonamble (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
3,122
% of total
83.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
3,122
83.9%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
527
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
527
14.2%
-1.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.3%
+0.2pp
Gamilaraay
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-146
+0.5pp
Not stated
-75
-1.2pp
Malayalam
+7
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+7
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Coonamble (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 | 3,122 | 83.9% | 86.8% | 3,268 | 83.4% | 87.1% | -146 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 527 | 14.2% | 6.6% | 602 | 15.4% | 7.1% | -75 | -1.2pp |
| Malayalam | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Gamilaraay | 10 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 3,720 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,919 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -199 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.