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 Heads, accounting for 87.9% (5,869 people). This share was lower than Nambucca (A) (89%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 266 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Nambucca Heads - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Nambucca Heads in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Nambucca Heads, with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
English
2021 count
5,869
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
5,869
87.9%
-1.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
574
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
574
8.6%
+0.3pp
Malayalam
2021 count
18
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
18
0.3%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.2%
-
Gumbaynggir
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.2%
0.0pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
11
0.2%
-
Punjabi
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+266
-1.1pp
Not stated
+49
+0.3pp
Malayalam
+10
+0.2pp
Italian
+5
0.0pp
Gumbaynggir
+2
0.0pp
Punjabi
+4
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Nambucca Heads. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 5,869 | 87.9% | 89.0% | 5,603 | 89.0% | 90.0% | +266 | -1.1pp |
| Not stated | 574 | 8.6% | 7.7% | 525 | 8.3% | 7.7% | +49 | +0.3pp |
| Malayalam | 18 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 15 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 14 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Gumbaynggir | 14 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Afrikaans | 11 | 0.2% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Punjabi | 10 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,679 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,296 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +383 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.