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 Goulburn Mulwaree (A), accounting for 85.9% (27,516 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,774 people, while its share fell by 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Goulburn Mulwaree (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Goulburn Mulwaree (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 Goulburn Mulwaree (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
27,516
% of total
85.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
27,516
85.9%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,536
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,536
7.9%
-0.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
168
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
168
0.5%
+0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
147
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
147
0.5%
+0.2pp
Greek
2021 count
123
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
123
0.4%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
97
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
97
0.3%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
88
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
88
0.3%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
75
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
75
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
66
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
66
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
61
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
61
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,774
-1.0pp
Not stated
+71
-0.4pp
Nepali
+134
+0.4pp
Mandarin
+67
+0.2pp
Greek
+41
+0.1pp
Arabic
+21
0.0pp
Malayalam
+33
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+43
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+24
+0.1pp
Spanish
+11
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Goulburn Mulwaree (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 | 27,516 | 85.9% | 86.8% | 25,742 | 86.9% | 87.1% | +1,774 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 2,536 | 7.9% | 6.6% | 2,465 | 8.3% | 7.1% | +71 | -0.4pp |
| Nepali | 168 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +134 | +0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 147 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 80 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +67 | +0.2pp |
| Greek | 123 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 82 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +41 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 97 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 76 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 88 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 55 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 75 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 32 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +43 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 66 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 42 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 61 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 50 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 32,048 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 29,615 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,433 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.