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 Goonellabah, accounting for 88.4% (11,821 people). This share was higher than Lismore (C) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 494 people and 0.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Goonellabah - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Goonellabah 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 Goonellabah, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
English
Not stated
Punjabi
Italian
Mandarin
Vietnamese
German
Bandjalang
Filipino
Arabic
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+494
+0.3pp
Not stated
-189
-1.6pp
Punjabi
+44
+0.3pp
Italian
-32
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+2
0.0pp
Vietnamese
+21
+0.1pp
German
-2
0.0pp
Filipino
+15
+0.1pp
Arabic
+26
+0.2pp
Tagalog
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Goonellabah. 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 | 11,821 | 88.4% | 87.4% | 11,327 | 88.1% | 87.6% | +494 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 717 | 5.4% | 7.3% | 906 | 7.0% | 7.8% | -189 | -1.6pp |
| Punjabi | 69 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +44 | +0.3pp |
| Italian | 66 | 0.5% | 0.4% | 98 | 0.8% | 0.7% | -32 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 49 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 47 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnamese | 44 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 23 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +21 | +0.1pp |
| German | 38 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 40 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Bandjalang | 35 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Filipino | 31 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 13,370 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,853 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +517 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.