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 Nambucca (A), accounting for 89% (18,156 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 876 people, while its share fell by 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Nambucca (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Nambucca (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 Nambucca (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
18,156
% of total
89.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
18,156
89.0%
-1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,571
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
1,571
7.7%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
60
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
60
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
44
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
39
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
39
0.2%
-
Gumbaynggir
2021 count
39
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
39
0.2%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
32
0.2%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
27
0.1%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+876
-1.0pp
Not stated
+97
0.0pp
Punjabi
+50
+0.2pp
German
+11
0.0pp
Gumbaynggir
+15
+0.1pp
French
-3
0.0pp
Italian
+11
+0.1pp
Malayalam
+19
+0.1pp
Thai
+3
0.0pp
Indonesian
+10
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Nambucca (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 | 18,156 | 89.0% | 86.8% | 17,280 | 90.0% | 87.1% | +876 | -1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,571 | 7.7% | 6.6% | 1,474 | 7.7% | 7.1% | +97 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 60 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| German | 44 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 39 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Gumbaynggir | 39 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +15 | +0.1pp |
| French | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 32 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 27 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 8 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 20,389 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,195 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.