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 Federation (A), accounting for 90.7% (11,684 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 641 people and 0.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Federation (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Federation (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 Federation (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
11,684
% of total
90.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
11,684
90.7%
+0.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
921
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
921
7.1%
-1.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
32
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
23
0.2%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.1%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.1%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
12
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.1%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+641
+0.7pp
Not stated
-76
-1.0pp
Mandarin
+23
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+13
0.0pp
Italian
-10
-0.1pp
Thai
+6
0.0pp
German
+6
0.0pp
Dutch
-3
0.0pp
Punjabi
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Federation (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 | 11,684 | 90.7% | 86.8% | 11,043 | 90.0% | 87.1% | +641 | +0.7pp |
| Not stated | 921 | 7.1% | 6.6% | 997 | 8.1% | 7.1% | -76 | -1.0pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +23 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 32 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 19 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 23 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 33 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 14 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| German | 13 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 10 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.2% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 12,885 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,265 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +620 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.