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 Derwent Valley (M), accounting for 91.6% (9,999 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 800 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Derwent Valley (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Derwent Valley (M) 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 Derwent Valley (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
9,999
% of total
91.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
9,999
91.6%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
693
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
693
6.3%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
23
0.2%
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
19
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.2%
-
Spanish
2021 count
16
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.1%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.1%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.1%
0.0pp
Polish
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
0.1%
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
12
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
12
0.1%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+800
-0.3pp
Not stated
+34
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+13
+0.1pp
Spanish
+10
0.0pp
German
+5
0.0pp
French
+6
0.0pp
Polish
-5
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Derwent Valley (M). 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 | 9,999 | 91.6% | 88.9% | 9,199 | 91.9% | 89.8% | +800 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 693 | 6.3% | 5.6% | 659 | 6.6% | 6.7% | +34 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 23 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 19 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Spanish | 16 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +10 | 0.0pp |
| German | 15 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| French | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Polish | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 10,914 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,011 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +903 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.