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 Cowra (A), accounting for 88.4% (11,237 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 144 people, while its share fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Cowra (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Cowra (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 Cowra (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
11,237
% of total
88.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
11,237
88.4%
-0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,009
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,009
7.9%
-0.5pp
Wiradjuri
2021 count
35
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
35
0.3%
+0.2pp
Kinyarwanda (Rwanda)
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
31
0.2%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.2%
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
24
0.2%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
22
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22
0.2%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.2%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
19
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.1%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+144
-0.7pp
Not stated
-31
-0.5pp
Wiradjuri
+17
+0.2pp
Mandarin
-15
-0.1pp
Inadequately described
+21
+0.2pp
Greek
-1
0.0pp
Filipino
+11
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+15
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+8
0.0pp
Italian
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Cowra (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 | 11,237 | 88.4% | 86.8% | 11,093 | 89.1% | 87.1% | +144 | -0.7pp |
| Not stated | 1,009 | 7.9% | 6.6% | 1,040 | 8.4% | 7.1% | -31 | -0.5pp |
| Wiradjuri | 35 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +17 | +0.2pp |
| Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) | 31 | 0.2% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 26 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 41 | 0.3% | 0.4% | -15 | -0.1pp |
| Inadequately described | 24 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 22 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 21 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 19 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 18 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,706 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,450 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +256 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.