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 Moree Plains (A), accounting for 75.8% (9,658 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,419 people and 8.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Moree Plains (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Moree Plains (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moree Plains (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
9,658
% of total
75.8%
Change from 2016
-8.5pp
9,658
75.8%
-8.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,629
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
2,629
20.6%
+8.3pp
Gamilaraay
2021 count
41
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
41
0.3%
+0.3pp
Cantonese
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
31
0.2%
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.2%
0.0pp
Indonesian
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
25
0.2%
-
Serbian
2021 count
24
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
24
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
22
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.2%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.2%
-
Filipino
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.2%
+0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,419
-8.5pp
Not stated
+1,014
+8.3pp
Gamilaraay
+36
+0.3pp
Cantonese
+13
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
-3
0.0pp
Serbian
-1
0.0pp
Thai
+8
+0.1pp
Filipino
+13
+0.1pp
Fijian
-6
0.0pp
Tagalog
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Moree Plains (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 | 9,658 | 75.8% | 86.8% | 11,077 | 84.3% | 87.1% | -1,419 | -8.5pp |
| Not stated | 2,629 | 20.6% | 6.6% | 1,615 | 12.3% | 7.1% | +1,014 | +8.3pp |
| Gamilaraay | 41 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +36 | +0.3pp |
| Cantonese | 31 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Afrikaans | 28 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 31 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Indonesian | 25 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Serbian | 24 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 22 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 21 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Filipino | 20 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,744 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,135 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -391 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.