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 Edward River (A), accounting for 87.9% (7,430 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 279 people, while its share rose by 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Edward River (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Edward River (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 Edward River (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
7,430
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
7,430
87.9%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
781
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
781
9.2%
-0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20
0.2%
-0.2pp
Malayalam
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.2%
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.2%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
12
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
12
0.1%
-0.6pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-279
+0.5pp
Not stated
-68
-0.4pp
Italian
-15
-0.2pp
Malayalam
+10
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
+5
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+1
0.0pp
Afrikaans
-4
0.0pp
Punjabi
+6
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-49
-0.6pp
Data table
Language used at home for Edward River (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 | 7,430 | 87.9% | 86.8% | 7,709 | 87.4% | 87.1% | -279 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 781 | 9.2% | 6.6% | 849 | 9.6% | 7.1% | -68 | -0.4pp |
| Italian | 20 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 35 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -15 | -0.2pp |
| Malayalam | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 15 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 17 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 12 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 61 | 0.7% | 0.4% | -49 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 8,455 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,823 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -368 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.