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 Forbes (A), accounting for 89.7% (8,358 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 175 people, while its share rose by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Forbes (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Forbes (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Forbes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
8,358
% of total
89.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
8,358
89.7%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
765
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
765
8.2%
-0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
18
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
16
0.2%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.2%
+0.1pp
Gujarati
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.1%
-
Tagalog
2021 count
12
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.1%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-175
+0.6pp
Not stated
-90
-0.7pp
Mandarin
+13
+0.1pp
Italian
-9
-0.1pp
Nepali
+9
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+3
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+4
0.0pp
Malayalam
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Forbes (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 | 8,358 | 89.7% | 86.8% | 8,533 | 89.1% | 87.1% | -175 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 765 | 8.2% | 6.6% | 855 | 8.9% | 7.1% | -90 | -0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 18 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 16 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 25 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 14 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Gujarati | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Tagalog | 12 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 9,313 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,572 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -259 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.