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 Dubbo Regional, accounting for 82.2% (45,188 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%).
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Dubbo Regional - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Dubbo Regional 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 Dubbo Regional, with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
45,188
% of total
82.2%
Change from 2016
-
45,188
82.2%
-
Not stated
2021 count
5,582
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-
5,582
10.2%
-
Nepali
2021 count
767
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-
767
1.4%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
358
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-
358
0.7%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
212
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
212
0.4%
-
Urdu
2021 count
182
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
182
0.3%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
171
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
171
0.3%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
162
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
162
0.3%
-
Bengali
2021 count
158
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
158
0.3%
-
Hindi
2021 count
153
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
153
0.3%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Data table
Language used at home for Dubbo Regional. 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 | 45,188 | 82.2% | 86.8% | - | - | 87.1% | - | - |
| Not stated | 5,582 | 10.2% | 6.6% | - | - | 7.1% | - | - |
| Nepali | 767 | 1.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 358 | 0.7% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 212 | 0.4% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Urdu | 182 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 171 | 0.3% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 162 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Bengali | 158 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Hindi | 153 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 54,940 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - | 100.0% | - | - |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.