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 Muswellbrook (A), accounting for 88.2% (14,400 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 214 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Muswellbrook (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Muswellbrook (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 Muswellbrook (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
14,400
% of total
88.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
14,400
88.2%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,292
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,292
7.9%
-0.4pp
Punjabi
2021 count
51
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
51
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
48
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
48
0.3%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
48
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
48
0.3%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
40
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
40
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+214
+0.1pp
Not stated
-49
-0.4pp
Punjabi
+22
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+1
0.0pp
Filipino
+12
+0.1pp
Thai
+13
0.0pp
Mandarin
-4
0.0pp
Spanish
+17
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-1
0.0pp
Malayalam
-6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Muswellbrook (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 | 14,400 | 88.2% | 86.8% | 14,186 | 88.1% | 87.1% | +214 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,292 | 7.9% | 6.6% | 1,341 | 8.3% | 7.1% | -49 | -0.4pp |
| Punjabi | 51 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 29 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 48 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 47 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 48 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 40 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 37 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 27 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +17 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,331 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 16,105 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +226 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.