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 Lismore (C), accounting for 87.4% (38,754 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 990 people, while its share fell by 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lismore (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lismore (C) 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 Lismore (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
38,754
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
38,754
87.4%
-0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,253
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
3,253
7.3%
-0.5pp
German
2021 count
210
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
210
0.5%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
197
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
197
0.4%
-0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
158
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
158
0.4%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
123
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
123
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
113
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
113
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
94
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
94
0.2%
0.0pp
Auslan
2021 count
92
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
92
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
88
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
88
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+990
-0.2pp
Not stated
-128
-0.5pp
German
+7
0.0pp
Italian
-107
-0.3pp
Punjabi
+92
+0.2pp
Spanish
+27
+0.1pp
French
+4
0.0pp
Mandarin
+7
0.0pp
Auslan
+21
0.0pp
Thai
+33
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lismore (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 | 38,754 | 87.4% | 86.8% | 37,764 | 87.6% | 87.1% | +990 | -0.2pp |
| Not stated | 3,253 | 7.3% | 6.6% | 3,381 | 7.8% | 7.1% | -128 | -0.5pp |
| German | 210 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 203 | 0.5% | 0.3% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 197 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 304 | 0.7% | 0.5% | -107 | -0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 158 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +92 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 123 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 96 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +27 | +0.1pp |
| French | 113 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 109 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 94 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 87 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Auslan | 92 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 71 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 88 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 55 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 44,334 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 43,108 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,226 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.