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 Murrumbidgee (A), accounting for 86.3% (2,895 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 416 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Murrumbidgee (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Murrumbidgee (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 Murrumbidgee (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
2,895
% of total
86.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
2,895
86.3%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
321
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
321
9.6%
-0.8pp
Tagalog
2021 count
16
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
16
0.5%
+0.3pp
Telugu
2021 count
12
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12
0.4%
+0.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
11
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.3%
-
Italian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.3%
-0.1pp
Shona
2021 count
10
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.3%
-
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-416
-0.1pp
Not stated
-79
-0.8pp
Tagalog
+8
+0.3pp
Telugu
+5
+0.2pp
Italian
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Murrumbidgee (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 | 2,895 | 86.3% | 86.8% | 3,311 | 86.4% | 87.1% | -416 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 321 | 9.6% | 6.6% | 400 | 10.4% | 7.1% | -79 | -0.8pp |
| Tagalog | 16 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Telugu | 12 | 0.4% | 0.0% | 7 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +5 | +0.2pp |
| Urdu | 11 | 0.3% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Italian | 10 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 14 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Shona | 10 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 3,355 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,834 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -479 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.