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 Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), accounting for 91.3% (79,252 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,992 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Port Macquarie-Hastings (A) 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 Port Macquarie-Hastings (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
79,252
% of total
91.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
79,252
91.3%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,046
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
4,046
4.7%
-1.5pp
German
2021 count
195
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
195
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
168
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
168
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
167
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
167
0.2%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
150
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
150
0.2%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
140
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
140
0.2%
+0.1pp
Nepali
2021 count
135
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
135
0.2%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
129
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
129
0.1%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
120
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
120
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,992
+0.5pp
Not stated
-835
-1.5pp
German
+16
0.0pp
Spanish
+13
0.0pp
Mandarin
+39
0.0pp
French
+8
0.0pp
Tagalog
+64
+0.1pp
Nepali
+107
+0.2pp
Italian
-5
-0.1pp
Thai
+41
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Port Macquarie-Hastings (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 | 79,252 | 91.3% | 86.8% | 71,260 | 90.8% | 87.1% | +7,992 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 4,046 | 4.7% | 6.6% | 4,881 | 6.2% | 7.1% | -835 | -1.5pp |
| German | 195 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 179 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +16 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 168 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 155 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +13 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 167 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 128 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +39 | 0.0pp |
| French | 150 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 142 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 140 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 76 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +64 | +0.1pp |
| Nepali | 135 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 28 | 0.0% | 0.1% | +107 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 129 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 134 | 0.2% | 0.5% | -5 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 120 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 79 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +41 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 86,764 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,516 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,248 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.