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 Hay (NSW), accounting for 84.1% (1,938 people). This share was similar to Hay (A) (83.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 73 people, while its share rose by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hay (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hay (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hay (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hay (NSW), with comparison markers for Hay (A).
English
2021 count
1,938
% of total
84.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,938
84.1%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
274
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
274
11.9%
-0.7pp
Fijian
2021 count
14
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
14
0.6%
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
11
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.5%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
10
0.4%
-0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
10
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
10
0.4%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-73
+0.6pp
Not stated
-29
-0.7pp
Fijian
-2
-0.1pp
Afrikaans
+2
+0.1pp
Italian
-8
-0.3pp
Malayalam
+5
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hay (NSW). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hay (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | % | Hay (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,938 | 84.1% | 83.9% | 2,011 | 83.5% | 84.5% | -73 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 274 | 11.9% | 12.0% | 303 | 12.6% | 12.0% | -29 | -0.7pp |
| Fijian | 14 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 16 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 11 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 10 | 0.4% | 0.7% | 18 | 0.7% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 10 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,304 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,408 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -104 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.