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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A), accounting for 81.5% (51,554 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 6,335 people and 0.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (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 Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
51,554
% of total
81.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
51,554
81.5%
+0.8pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,213
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
3,213
5.1%
-2.1pp
Macedonian
2021 count
901
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
901
1.4%
-0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
796
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
796
1.3%
+0.5pp
Italian
2021 count
578
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
578
0.9%
-0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
544
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
544
0.9%
+0.6pp
Serbian
2021 count
319
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
319
0.5%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
293
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
293
0.5%
+0.1pp
Hindi
2021 count
292
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
292
0.5%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
264
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
264
0.4%
-0.1pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+6,335
+0.8pp
Not stated
-808
-2.1pp
Macedonian
+4
-0.2pp
Punjabi
+350
+0.5pp
Italian
-63
-0.2pp
Nepali
+399
+0.6pp
Serbian
+49
0.0pp
Tagalog
+71
+0.1pp
Hindi
+48
+0.1pp
Mandarin
+4
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional (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 | 51,554 | 81.5% | 86.8% | 45,219 | 80.7% | 87.1% | +6,335 | +0.8pp |
| Not stated | 3,213 | 5.1% | 6.6% | 4,021 | 7.2% | 7.1% | -808 | -2.1pp |
| Macedonian | 901 | 1.4% | 0.3% | 897 | 1.6% | 0.3% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 796 | 1.3% | 0.3% | 446 | 0.8% | 0.2% | +350 | +0.5pp |
| Italian | 578 | 0.9% | 0.4% | 641 | 1.1% | 0.5% | -63 | -0.2pp |
| Nepali | 544 | 0.9% | 0.2% | 145 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +399 | +0.6pp |
| Serbian | 319 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 270 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +49 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 293 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 222 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +71 | +0.1pp |
| Hindi | 292 | 0.5% | 0.1% | 244 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +48 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 264 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 260 | 0.5% | 0.4% | +4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 63,248 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 56,009 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,239 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.