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 Richmond Valley (A), accounting for 87.9% (20,715 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 89 people, while its share fell by 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Richmond Valley (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Richmond Valley (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 Richmond Valley (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
20,715
% of total
87.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
20,715
87.9%
-2.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
2,298
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
2,298
9.8%
+2.0pp
Bandjalang
2021 count
64
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
64
0.3%
+0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
44
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.2%
0.0pp
Italian
2021 count
41
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
41
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
37
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
26
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
26
0.1%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
23
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.1%
0.0pp
Nepali
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
21
0.1%
-
Mandarin
2021 count
21
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
21
0.1%
0.0pp
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+89
-2.6pp
Not stated
+510
+2.0pp
Bandjalang
+58
+0.3pp
Tagalog
0
0.0pp
Italian
+8
+0.1pp
German
+16
+0.1pp
Filipino
+5
0.0pp
Dutch
0
0.0pp
Mandarin
-3
0.0pp
Auslan
+14
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Richmond Valley (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 | 20,715 | 87.9% | 86.8% | 20,626 | 90.5% | 87.1% | +89 | -2.6pp |
| Not stated | 2,298 | 9.8% | 6.6% | 1,788 | 7.8% | 7.1% | +510 | +2.0pp |
| Bandjalang | 64 | 0.3% | 0.0% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +58 | +0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 44 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 44 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Italian | 41 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.5% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| German | 37 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.3% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 26 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 21 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Nepali | 21 | 0.1% | 0.2% | - | - | 0.1% | - | - |
| Mandarin | 21 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.4% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 23,560 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,791 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +769 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.