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 Port Stephens (A), accounting for 90.9% (68,383 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,176 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Port Stephens (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language spoken at home for Port Stephens (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 Port Stephens (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
Not stated
Italian
Spanish
Mandarin
Greek
German
Thai
Tagalog
French
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,176
+1.4pp
Not stated
-1,115
-2.1pp
Italian
-1
0.0pp
Spanish
+11
0.0pp
Mandarin
+39
0.0pp
Greek
+21
0.0pp
German
-7
0.0pp
Thai
+67
+0.1pp
Tagalog
+29
+0.1pp
French
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language spoken at home for Port Stephens (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 | 68,383 | 90.9% | 86.8% | 62,207 | 89.5% | 87.1% | +6,176 | +1.4pp |
| Not stated | 3,863 | 5.1% | 6.6% | 4,978 | 7.2% | 7.1% | -1,115 | -2.1pp |
| Italian | 171 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 172 | 0.2% | 0.5% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 162 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 151 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 159 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 120 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +39 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 148 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 127 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +21 | 0.0pp |
| German | 143 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 150 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -7 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 143 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 76 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +67 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 124 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 95 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| French | 123 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 120 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 75,241 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 69,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,727 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.