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 Narrabri (A), accounting for 86.9% (11,039 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 386 people and 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Narrabri (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Narrabri (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 Narrabri (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
11,039
% of total
86.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
11,039
86.9%
-0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,352
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,352
10.6%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
29
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.2%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
0.2%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
21
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21
0.2%
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
20
0.2%
+0.1pp
Korean
2021 count
17
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
17
0.1%
-
Non-verbal, so described
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.1%
-
Tamil
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.1%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-386
-0.6pp
Not stated
-79
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+16
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+5
0.0pp
Nepali
+9
+0.1pp
Sinhalese
+6
+0.1pp
Filipino
+7
+0.1pp
Tamil
+7
+0.1pp
Cantonese
-6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Narrabri (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 | 11,039 | 86.9% | 86.8% | 11,425 | 87.5% | 87.1% | -386 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,352 | 10.6% | 6.6% | 1,431 | 11.0% | 7.1% | -79 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 29 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 21 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Sinhalese | 20 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 14 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 20 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Korean | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Non-verbal, so described | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Tamil | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 12,710 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,060 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -350 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.