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 (NSW), accounting for 83.5% (3,036 people). This share was lower than Lismore (C) (87.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Italian, which decreased by 27 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lismore (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lismore (NSW) 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 Lismore (NSW), with comparison markers for Lismore (C).
English
2021 count
3,036
% of total
83.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
3,036
83.5%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
421
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
421
11.6%
+2.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
20
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.6%
-
Thai
2021 count
13
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.4%
+0.1pp
Auslan
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
11
0.3%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
11
0.3%
-0.8pp
Mandarin
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
10
0.3%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-8
-1.6pp
Not stated
+91
+2.4pp
Thai
+4
+0.1pp
Auslan
+3
0.0pp
Spanish
+6
+0.2pp
Italian
-27
-0.8pp
Mandarin
-7
-0.2pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lismore (NSW). 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 | 3,036 | 83.5% | 87.4% | 3,044 | 85.1% | 87.6% | -8 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 421 | 11.6% | 7.3% | 330 | 9.2% | 7.8% | +91 | +2.4pp |
| Nepali | 20 | 0.6% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Thai | 13 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Auslan | 12 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 11 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +6 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 11 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 38 | 1.1% | 0.7% | -27 | -0.8pp |
| Mandarin | 10 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -7 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 3,634 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,575 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +59 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.