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 Parkes (A), accounting for 89.2% (12,796 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 129 people, while its share rose by 0.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Parkes (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Parkes (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 Parkes (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
12,796
% of total
89.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
12,796
89.2%
+0.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,065
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,065
7.4%
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
42
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
42
0.3%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.2%
0.0pp
Wiradjuri
2021 count
32
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
32
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
29
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.2%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
28
0.2%
+0.2pp
Cantonese
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
25
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
19
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
19
0.1%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-129
+0.6pp
Not stated
-206
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
+9
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Wiradjuri
+11
+0.1pp
Filipino
+11
+0.1pp
Nepali
+21
+0.2pp
Cantonese
+2
0.0pp
Tagalog
0
0.0pp
Italian
+12
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Parkes (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 | 12,796 | 89.2% | 86.8% | 12,925 | 88.6% | 87.1% | -129 | +0.6pp |
| Not stated | 1,065 | 7.4% | 6.6% | 1,271 | 8.7% | 7.1% | -206 | -1.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 42 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 33 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Wiradjuri | 32 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 29 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 28 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 7 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +21 | +0.2pp |
| Cantonese | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 19 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 7 | 0.0% | 0.5% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 14,345 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,595 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -250 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.