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 Northern Midlands (M), accounting for 92.4% (12,697 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,049 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Northern Midlands (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Northern Midlands (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Northern Midlands (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
Not stated
Mandarin
Spanish
Italian
German
French
Tagalog
Tongan
Inadequately described
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,049
+1.5pp
Not stated
-259
-2.4pp
Mandarin
+12
0.0pp
Spanish
+11
+0.1pp
Italian
+6
+0.1pp
German
+2
0.0pp
French
+7
0.0pp
Tagalog
+5
0.0pp
Inadequately described
+10
+0.1pp
Dutch
-6
-0.1pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Northern Midlands (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 12,697 | 92.4% | 88.9% | 11,648 | 90.9% | 89.8% | +1,049 | +1.5pp |
| Not stated | 714 | 5.2% | 5.6% | 973 | 7.6% | 6.7% | -259 | -2.4pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.2% | 0.6% | 21 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 21 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 21 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| German | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 15 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| French | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +7 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 12 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Tongan | 17 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Inadequately described | 14 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 4 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 13,748 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,815 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +933 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.