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 East Lismore, accounting for 87.2% (4,324 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 60 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
East Lismore - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for East Lismore in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Lismore, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
English
2021 count
4,324
% of total
87.2%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
4,324
87.2%
+1.7pp
Not stated
2021 count
374
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
374
7.5%
-1.8pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
28
0.6%
+0.3pp
Punjabi
2021 count
24
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
24
0.5%
-
Italian
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
18
0.4%
-0.1pp
Auslan
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14
0.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
11
0.2%
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
11
0.2%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+60
+1.7pp
Not stated
-89
-1.8pp
German
+11
+0.3pp
Italian
-8
-0.1pp
Auslan
+6
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+5
+0.1pp
French
-9
-0.2pp
Vietnamese
-6
-0.1pp
Thai
-1
0.0pp
Indonesian
0
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for East Lismore. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | % | Lismore (C)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,324 | 87.2% | 87.4% | 4,264 | 85.5% | 87.6% | +60 | +1.7pp |
| Not stated | 374 | 7.5% | 7.3% | 463 | 9.3% | 7.8% | -89 | -1.8pp |
| German | 28 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Punjabi | 24 | 0.5% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Italian | 18 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 26 | 0.5% | 0.7% | -8 | -0.1pp |
| Auslan | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| French | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 20 | 0.4% | 0.3% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Vietnamese | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -6 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,959 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,987 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -28 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.