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 Lake Macquarie (C), accounting for 90.9% (194,306 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 14,203 people, while its share fell by 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lake Macquarie (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lake Macquarie (C) 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 Lake Macquarie (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
194,306
% of total
90.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
194,306
90.9%
-0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
8,278
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
8,278
3.9%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
725
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
725
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
514
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
514
0.2%
0.0pp
Macedonian
2021 count
477
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
477
0.2%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
474
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
474
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
471
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
471
0.2%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
416
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
416
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
377
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
377
0.2%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
363
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
363
0.2%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+14,203
-0.3pp
Not stated
-243
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+154
0.0pp
Spanish
+118
0.0pp
Macedonian
-38
-0.1pp
German
+31
0.0pp
Italian
-79
-0.1pp
Cantonese
+31
0.0pp
Thai
+105
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+183
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lake Macquarie (C). 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 | 194,306 | 90.9% | 86.8% | 180,103 | 91.2% | 87.1% | +14,203 | -0.3pp |
| Not stated | 8,278 | 3.9% | 6.6% | 8,521 | 4.3% | 7.1% | -243 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 725 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 571 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +154 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 514 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 396 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +118 | 0.0pp |
| Macedonian | 477 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 515 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -38 | -0.1pp |
| German | 474 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 443 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 471 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 550 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -79 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 416 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 385 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +31 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 377 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 272 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +105 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 363 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 180 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +183 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 213,847 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 197,386 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +16,461 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.