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 Hobart (C), accounting for 75% (41,311 people). This share was lower than Greater Hobart (82.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,431 people, while its share fell by 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Hobart (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Hobart (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Hobart and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hobart (C), with comparison markers for Greater Hobart.
English
2021 count
41,311
% of total
75.0%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
41,311
75.0%
-4.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
3,378
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
3,378
6.1%
+2.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,365
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
2,365
4.3%
-1.6pp
Nepali
2021 count
1,020
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
1,020
1.9%
+1.5pp
Cantonese
2021 count
612
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
612
1.1%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
401
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
401
0.7%
+0.5pp
Greek
2021 count
392
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
392
0.7%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
372
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
372
0.7%
+0.4pp
Hindi
2021 count
367
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
367
0.7%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
354
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
354
0.6%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,431
-4.1pp
Mandarin
+1,379
+2.1pp
Not stated
-605
-1.6pp
Nepali
+825
+1.5pp
Cantonese
+206
+0.3pp
Punjabi
+280
+0.5pp
Greek
-82
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
+242
+0.4pp
Hindi
+122
+0.2pp
Spanish
+148
+0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Hobart (C). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Hobart.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | pp | |
| English | 41,311 | 75.0% | 82.6% | 39,880 | 79.1% | 86.5% | +1,431 | -4.1pp |
| Mandarin | 3,378 | 6.1% | 2.6% | 1,999 | 4.0% | 1.3% | +1,379 | +2.1pp |
| Not stated | 2,365 | 4.3% | 4.6% | 2,970 | 5.9% | 5.8% | -605 | -1.6pp |
| Nepali | 1,020 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 195 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +825 | +1.5pp |
| Cantonese | 612 | 1.1% | 0.5% | 406 | 0.8% | 0.3% | +206 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 401 | 0.7% | 0.7% | 121 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +280 | +0.5pp |
| Greek | 392 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 474 | 0.9% | 0.5% | -82 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 372 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 130 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +242 | +0.4pp |
| Hindi | 367 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 245 | 0.5% | 0.2% | +122 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 354 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 206 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +148 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 55,085 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 50,414 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,671 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.