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 Shellharbour (C), accounting for 85.5% (65,160 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,210 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Shellharbour (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Shellharbour (C) 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 Shellharbour (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
65,160
% of total
85.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
65,160
85.5%
+0.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
3,639
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,639
4.8%
-0.2pp
Macedonian
2021 count
1,570
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,570
2.1%
-0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
705
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
705
0.9%
-0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
425
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
425
0.6%
-0.2pp
Turkish
2021 count
338
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
338
0.4%
-0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
330
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
330
0.4%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
309
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
309
0.4%
+0.1pp
Serbian
2021 count
298
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
298
0.4%
0.0pp
Portuguese
2021 count
234
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
234
0.3%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,210
+0.9pp
Not stated
+241
-0.2pp
Macedonian
+53
-0.1pp
Spanish
-53
-0.2pp
Italian
-141
-0.2pp
Turkish
+29
-0.1pp
Greek
+25
0.0pp
Arabic
+110
+0.1pp
Serbian
+19
0.0pp
Portuguese
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Shellharbour (C). 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 | 65,160 | 85.5% | 86.8% | 57,950 | 84.6% | 87.1% | +7,210 | +0.9pp |
| Not stated | 3,639 | 4.8% | 6.6% | 3,398 | 5.0% | 7.1% | +241 | -0.2pp |
| Macedonian | 1,570 | 2.1% | 0.3% | 1,517 | 2.2% | 0.3% | +53 | -0.1pp |
| Spanish | 705 | 0.9% | 0.3% | 758 | 1.1% | 0.2% | -53 | -0.2pp |
| Italian | 425 | 0.6% | 0.4% | 566 | 0.8% | 0.5% | -141 | -0.2pp |
| Turkish | 338 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 309 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +29 | -0.1pp |
| Greek | 330 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 305 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +25 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 309 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 199 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +110 | +0.1pp |
| Serbian | 298 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 279 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +19 | 0.0pp |
| Portuguese | 234 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 228 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 76,236 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 68,459 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,777 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.