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 Oberon (A), accounting for 82.9% (4,612 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 147 people, while its share fell by 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Oberon (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Oberon (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 Oberon (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
4,612
% of total
82.9%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
4,612
82.9%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
706
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
706
12.7%
+0.3pp
Fijian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.3%
-
Bosnian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.3%
+0.1pp
Malayalam
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-
16
0.3%
-
French
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
14
0.3%
+0.2pp
Spanish
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
13
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12
0.2%
-0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
12
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
12
0.2%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+147
-1.6pp
Not stated
+50
+0.3pp
Bosnian
+4
+0.1pp
French
+11
+0.2pp
Spanish
+5
0.0pp
Italian
+2
0.0pp
German
-2
-0.1pp
Khmer
+5
+0.1pp
Afrikaans
+5
+0.1pp
Russian
+6
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Oberon (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 | 4,612 | 82.9% | 86.8% | 4,465 | 84.5% | 87.1% | +147 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 706 | 12.7% | 6.6% | 656 | 12.4% | 7.1% | +50 | +0.3pp |
| Fijian | 19 | 0.3% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Bosnian | 16 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.0% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Malayalam | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| French | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.2pp |
| Spanish | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 13 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 11 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| German | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.3% | 0.3% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Nepali | 12 | 0.2% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Total | 5,566 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,285 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +281 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.