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 Lachlan (A), accounting for 84.5% (5,149 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 218 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lachlan (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lachlan (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 Lachlan (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
5,149
% of total
84.5%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
5,149
84.5%
-2.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
730
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
730
12.0%
+0.8pp
Wiradjuri
2021 count
26
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
26
0.4%
+0.3pp
Gujarati
2021 count
20
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
20
0.3%
+0.2pp
Tagalog
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
13
0.2%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.2%
-
Cantonese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
11
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-218
-2.2pp
Not stated
+35
+0.8pp
Wiradjuri
+22
+0.3pp
Gujarati
+12
+0.2pp
Tagalog
+6
+0.1pp
Filipino
+7
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+2
+0.1pp
Mandarin
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lachlan (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 | 5,149 | 84.5% | 86.8% | 5,367 | 86.7% | 87.1% | -218 | -2.2pp |
| Not stated | 730 | 12.0% | 6.6% | 695 | 11.2% | 7.1% | +35 | +0.8pp |
| Wiradjuri | 26 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +22 | +0.3pp |
| Gujarati | 20 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Tagalog | 18 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 18 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Cantonese | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 10 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,094 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -96 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.