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 Greater Hume Shire (A), accounting for 90% (10,014 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 519 people, while its share fell by 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Greater Hume Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Greater Hume Shire (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 Greater Hume Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
10,014
% of total
90.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
10,014
90.0%
-1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
905
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
905
8.1%
+1.8pp
German
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
26
0.2%
-0.1pp
Fijian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
14
0.1%
-0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
13
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
13
0.1%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.1%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.1%
0.0pp
Tamil
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.1%
-
Japanese
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+519
-1.9pp
Not stated
+252
+1.8pp
German
-4
-0.1pp
Fijian
-2
-0.1pp
Dutch
-3
-0.1pp
Spanish
+6
+0.1pp
Arabic
+2
0.0pp
Japanese
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Greater Hume Shire (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 | 10,014 | 90.0% | 86.8% | 9,495 | 91.9% | 87.1% | +519 | -1.9pp |
| Not stated | 905 | 8.1% | 6.6% | 653 | 6.3% | 7.1% | +252 | +1.8pp |
| German | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 30 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Fijian | 14 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 16 | 0.2% | 0.0% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Dutch | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 11 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 10 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Tamil | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Japanese | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 11,127 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,327 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +800 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.