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 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 spoken at home for Lismore (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 Lismore (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
Not stated
German
Italian
Punjabi
Spanish
French
Mandarin
Auslan
Thai
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 spoken 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.