Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 Orange (C), accounting for 87.2% (37,958 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,545 people, while its share fell by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Orange (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Orange (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Orange (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
Not stated
Malayalam
Nepali
Mandarin
Tagalog
Punjabi
Urdu
Italian
Hindi
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,545
-0.6pp
Not stated
-103
-0.7pp
Malayalam
+30
0.0pp
Nepali
+121
+0.2pp
Mandarin
+44
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+73
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+58
+0.1pp
Urdu
+87
+0.2pp
Italian
-27
-0.1pp
Hindi
+32
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Orange (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 | 37,958 | 87.2% | 86.8% | 35,413 | 87.8% | 87.1% | +2,545 | -0.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,421 | 5.6% | 6.6% | 2,524 | 6.3% | 7.1% | -103 | -0.7pp |
| Malayalam | 280 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 250 | 0.6% | 0.1% | +30 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 233 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 112 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +121 | +0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 177 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 133 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +44 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 139 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 66 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +73 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 126 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 68 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +58 | +0.1pp |
| Urdu | 120 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +87 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 103 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 130 | 0.3% | 0.5% | -27 | -0.1pp |
| Hindi | 96 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 64 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +32 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 43,512 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 40,341 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,171 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.