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 Mid-Western Regional (A), accounting for 89.3% (22,921 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,874 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Mid-Western Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Mid-Western Regional (A) 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 Mid-Western Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
22,921
% of total
89.3%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
22,921
89.3%
+1.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,931
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
1,931
7.5%
-2.4pp
Spanish
2021 count
56
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
56
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
50
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
50
0.2%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
49
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
49
0.2%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
48
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
44
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
44
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
36
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
36
0.1%
-0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.1%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
31
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,874
+1.9pp
Not stated
-449
-2.4pp
Spanish
+13
0.0pp
Nepali
+47
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+32
+0.1pp
Italian
+7
0.0pp
Tagalog
+9
+0.1pp
German
-12
-0.1pp
Mandarin
-1
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Mid-Western Regional (A). 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 | 22,921 | 89.3% | 86.8% | 21,047 | 87.4% | 87.1% | +1,874 | +1.9pp |
| Not stated | 1,931 | 7.5% | 6.6% | 2,380 | 9.9% | 7.1% | -449 | -2.4pp |
| Spanish | 56 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 43 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 50 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +47 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 49 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +32 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 48 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 41 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 44 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 35 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| German | 36 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 48 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -12 | -0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 34 | 0.1% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 31 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 28 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 25,670 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 24,077 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,593 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.