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 Taree, accounting for 86.9% (14,513 people). This share was lower than Mid-Coast (A) (89.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Malayalam, which increased by 33 people and 0.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Taree - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Taree 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 Taree, with comparison markers for Mid-Coast (A).
English
2021 count
14,513
% of total
86.9%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
14,513
86.9%
-2.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,418
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
1,418
8.5%
+1.5pp
Malayalam
2021 count
92
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
92
0.6%
+0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
53
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
53
0.3%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
49
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
49
0.3%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
38
0.2%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
37
0.2%
+0.2pp
Arabic
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
34
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
32
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
30
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-3
-2.8pp
Not stated
+285
+1.5pp
Malayalam
+33
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+17
+0.1pp
Filipino
+33
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+31
+0.2pp
Nepali
+31
+0.2pp
Arabic
+6
0.0pp
Tagalog
+18
+0.1pp
Greek
+19
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Taree. 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 | 14,513 | 86.9% | 89.9% | 14,516 | 89.7% | 90.4% | -3 | -2.8pp |
| Not stated | 1,418 | 8.5% | 6.9% | 1,133 | 7.0% | 7.0% | +285 | +1.5pp |
| Malayalam | 92 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 59 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 53 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 49 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 16 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 38 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +31 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 37 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +31 | +0.2pp |
| Arabic | 34 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +18 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 16,703 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,190 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +513 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.