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 Old Bar, accounting for 91.7% (4,676 people). This share was higher than Mid-Coast (A) (89.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 675 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Old Bar - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Old Bar in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mid-Coast (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Old Bar, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
English
2021 count
4,676
% of total
91.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4,676
91.7%
+0.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
299
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
299
5.9%
-0.3pp
German
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+675
+0.2pp
Not stated
+28
-0.3pp
German
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Old Bar. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mid-Coast (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | % | Mid-Coast (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 4,676 | 91.7% | 89.9% | 4,001 | 91.5% | 90.4% | +675 | +0.2pp |
| Not stated | 299 | 5.9% | 6.9% | 271 | 6.2% | 7.0% | +28 | -0.3pp |
| German | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 5,097 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,373 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +724 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.