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 Lithgow (C), accounting for 87.4% (18,199 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 292 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lithgow (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lithgow (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lithgow (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
18,199
% of total
87.4%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
18,199
87.4%
+2.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,744
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
1,744
8.4%
-3.2pp
Italian
2021 count
54
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
54
0.3%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
52
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
52
0.2%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
47
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
47
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
47
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
47
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
45
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
45
0.2%
+0.1pp
Arabic
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
38
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+292
+2.3pp
Not stated
-706
-3.2pp
Italian
-6
0.0pp
Mandarin
+28
+0.1pp
Thai
+22
+0.1pp
Cantonese
0
0.0pp
German
+8
0.0pp
Spanish
+24
+0.1pp
Arabic
-2
0.0pp
Tagalog
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lithgow (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 | 18,199 | 87.4% | 86.8% | 17,907 | 85.1% | 87.1% | +292 | +2.3pp |
| Not stated | 1,744 | 8.4% | 6.6% | 2,450 | 11.6% | 7.1% | -706 | -3.2pp |
| Italian | 54 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 60 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 52 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +28 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 47 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 47 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 47 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| German | 45 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 45 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Arabic | 38 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 40 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 38 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 31 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 20,831 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -215 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.