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 Kempsey (A), accounting for 87% (26,714 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,456 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kempsey (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Kempsey (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 Kempsey (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
26,714
% of total
87.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
26,714
87.0%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,083
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
3,083
10.0%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
76
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
76
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
75
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
75
0.2%
0.0pp
Dhanggatti
2021 count
61
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
61
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
57
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
57
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
40
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.1%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
39
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
39
0.1%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
35
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.1%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
34
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,456
-0.6pp
Not stated
+102
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+15
0.0pp
German
+7
0.0pp
Dhanggatti
+36
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.1pp
Spanish
+9
0.0pp
Malayalam
+18
0.0pp
Thai
+11
0.0pp
Filipino
+14
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Kempsey (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 | 26,714 | 87.0% | 86.8% | 25,258 | 87.6% | 87.1% | +1,456 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 3,083 | 10.0% | 6.6% | 2,981 | 10.3% | 7.1% | +102 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 76 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 61 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +15 | 0.0pp |
| German | 75 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 68 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Dhanggatti | 61 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +36 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 57 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 39 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 40 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 39 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +18 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 35 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 34 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 20 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +14 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 30,691 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 28,839 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,852 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.