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 2,471 people and 11.1 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
+11.1pp
4,324
87.2%
+11.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
374
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+6.2pp
374
7.5%
+6.2pp
German
2021 count
28
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
28
0.6%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
24
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
24
0.5%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
18
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
18
0.4%
-1.6pp
Auslan
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.3%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
13
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
13
0.3%
-2.5pp
French
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
11
0.2%
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
11
0.2%
-0.3pp
Thai
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,471
+11.1pp
Not stated
+343
+6.2pp
German
+15
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+21
+0.4pp
Italian
-31
-1.6pp
Mandarin
-55
-2.5pp
French
-5
-0.5pp
Vietnamese
-2
-0.3pp
Indonesian
+4
-0.1pp
Nepali
+5
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% | 1,853 | 76.1% | 87.6% | +2,471 | +11.1pp |
| Not stated | 374 | 7.5% | 7.3% | 31 | 1.3% | 7.8% | +343 | +6.2pp |
| German | 28 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.5% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 24 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +21 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 18 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 49 | 2.0% | 0.7% | -31 | -1.6pp |
| Auslan | 14 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 13 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 68 | 2.8% | 0.2% | -55 | -2.5pp |
| French | 11 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 16 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -5 | -0.5pp |
| Vietnamese | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Thai | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 4,959 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,435 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,524 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.