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 Young, accounting for 86.8% (9,200 people). This share was lower than Hilltops (A) (87.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Arabic, which increased by 123 people and 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Young - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Young in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hilltops (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Young, with comparison markers for Hilltops (A).
English
2021 count
9,200
% of total
86.8%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
9,200
86.8%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
655
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
655
6.2%
-0.4pp
Arabic
2021 count
288
% of total
2.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
288
2.7%
+1.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
69
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
69
0.7%
+0.5pp
Punjabi
2021 count
41
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
41
0.4%
+0.3pp
Filipino
2021 count
33
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
33
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
30
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.3%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
17
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
17
0.2%
+0.1pp
Urdu
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.2%
-
Wiradjuri
2021 count
15
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
15
0.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2
-2.8pp
Not stated
-27
-0.4pp
Arabic
+123
+1.1pp
Mandarin
+45
+0.5pp
Punjabi
+29
+0.3pp
Filipino
+24
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+8
+0.1pp
Spanish
+10
+0.1pp
German
+4
0.0pp
Italian
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Young. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hilltops (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Hilltops (A)% | Count | % | Hilltops (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 9,200 | 86.8% | 87.6% | 9,198 | 89.6% | 89.9% | +2 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 655 | 6.2% | 7.3% | 682 | 6.6% | 6.7% | -27 | -0.4pp |
| Arabic | 288 | 2.7% | 1.7% | 165 | 1.6% | 1.1% | +123 | +1.1pp |
| Mandarin | 69 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +45 | +0.5pp |
| Punjabi | 41 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +29 | +0.3pp |
| Filipino | 33 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +24 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 30 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 22 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 17 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 16 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Wiradjuri | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 10,593 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,268 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +325 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.