Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Kiama (A), accounting for 91% (20,993 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,780 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kiama (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Kiama (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kiama (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
Not stated
Italian
German
Spanish
Greek
French
Mandarin
Macedonian
Cantonese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,780
+1.4pp
Not stated
-282
-1.7pp
Italian
-16
-0.1pp
German
-10
-0.1pp
Spanish
+20
0.0pp
Greek
+6
0.0pp
French
+9
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+15
+0.1pp
Macedonian
+13
0.0pp
Cantonese
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Kiama (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 | 20,993 | 91.0% | 86.8% | 19,213 | 89.6% | 87.1% | +1,780 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,040 | 4.5% | 6.6% | 1,322 | 6.2% | 7.1% | -282 | -1.7pp |
| Italian | 93 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 109 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -16 | -0.1pp |
| German | 80 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 90 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 80 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 60 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +20 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 64 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 58 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| French | 62 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 53 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 59 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 44 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Macedonian | 48 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 35 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 44 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 41 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 23,073 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,452 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,621 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.