Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Kingborough (M), accounting for 86% (34,450 people). This share was higher than Greater Hobart (82.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,358 people, while its share fell by 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Kingborough (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Kingborough (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Hobart and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kingborough (M), with comparison markers for Greater Hobart.
English
Mandarin
Not stated
Nepali
German
Spanish
Cantonese
Korean
Afrikaans
Dutch
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,358
-3.5pp
Mandarin
+937
+2.2pp
Not stated
-311
-1.2pp
Nepali
+261
+0.7pp
German
+13
0.0pp
Spanish
+85
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+135
+0.3pp
Korean
+79
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+87
+0.2pp
Dutch
-41
-0.2pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Kingborough (M). 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 | 34,450 | 86.0% | 82.6% | 32,092 | 89.5% | 86.5% | +2,358 | -3.5pp |
| Mandarin | 1,286 | 3.2% | 2.6% | 349 | 1.0% | 1.3% | +937 | +2.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,282 | 3.2% | 4.6% | 1,593 | 4.4% | 5.8% | -311 | -1.2pp |
| Nepali | 267 | 0.7% | 1.8% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.4% | +261 | +0.7pp |
| German | 204 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 191 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 202 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 117 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +85 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 197 | 0.5% | 0.5% | 62 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +135 | +0.3pp |
| Korean | 160 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 81 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +79 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 158 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 71 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +87 | +0.2pp |
| Dutch | 137 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 178 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -41 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 40,069 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 35,852 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,217 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.