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 Narrandera (A), accounting for 86.8% (4,937 people). This share was similar to Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 162 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Narrandera (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Narrandera (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 Narrandera (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
4,937
% of total
86.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
4,937
86.8%
-0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
565
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
565
9.9%
-0.5pp
Wiradjuri
2021 count
17
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
17
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
11
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-162
-0.5pp
Not stated
-45
-0.5pp
Wiradjuri
+13
+0.2pp
German
+5
+0.1pp
Malayalam
-2
0.0pp
Spanish
+1
0.0pp
Thai
+4
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+3
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Narrandera (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 | 4,937 | 86.8% | 86.8% | 5,099 | 87.3% | 87.1% | -162 | -0.5pp |
| Not stated | 565 | 9.9% | 6.6% | 610 | 10.4% | 7.1% | -45 | -0.5pp |
| Wiradjuri | 17 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| German | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 11 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 10 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 9 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 10 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 10 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +3 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 5,685 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,844 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -159 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.