Cultural diversity
Language spoken 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 Newcastle (C), accounting for 84.8% (143,184 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 11,373 people.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Newcastle (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Newcastle (C) 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 Newcastle (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Macedonian
Arabic
Greek
Italian
Vietnamese
Spanish
Cantonese
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+11,373
0.0pp
Not stated
-294
-0.6pp
Mandarin
-248
-0.2pp
Macedonian
-100
-0.1pp
Arabic
+211
+0.1pp
Greek
-27
-0.1pp
Italian
-115
-0.1pp
Vietnamese
+195
+0.1pp
Spanish
+160
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+3
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Newcastle (C). 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 | 143,184 | 84.8% | 86.8% | 131,811 | 84.8% | 87.1% | +11,373 | 0.0pp |
| Not stated | 7,926 | 4.7% | 6.6% | 8,220 | 5.3% | 7.1% | -294 | -0.6pp |
| Mandarin | 1,673 | 1.0% | 0.4% | 1,921 | 1.2% | 0.4% | -248 | -0.2pp |
| Macedonian | 1,035 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 1,135 | 0.7% | 0.3% | -100 | -0.1pp |
| Arabic | 909 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 698 | 0.4% | 0.3% | +211 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 740 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 767 | 0.5% | 0.2% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 713 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 828 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -115 | -0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 680 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 485 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +195 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 649 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 489 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +160 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 584 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 581 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 168,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 155,373 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +13,465 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.