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 Shoalhaven (C), accounting for 88.4% (95,928 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 7,782 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Shoalhaven (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Shoalhaven (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 Shoalhaven (C), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
95,928
% of total
88.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
95,928
88.4%
-0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,303
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
7,303
6.7%
-0.8pp
Greek
2021 count
343
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
343
0.3%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
330
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
330
0.3%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
322
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
322
0.3%
-0.1pp
German
2021 count
277
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
277
0.3%
0.0pp
Tagalog
2021 count
232
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
232
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
209
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
209
0.2%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
173
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
173
0.2%
+0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
166
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
166
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+7,782
-0.1pp
Not stated
-187
-0.8pp
Greek
+60
0.0pp
Spanish
+102
+0.1pp
Italian
-43
-0.1pp
German
0
0.0pp
Tagalog
+77
0.0pp
Mandarin
+29
0.0pp
Cantonese
+30
+0.1pp
Thai
+33
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Shoalhaven (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 | 95,928 | 88.4% | 86.8% | 88,146 | 88.5% | 87.1% | +7,782 | -0.1pp |
| Not stated | 7,303 | 6.7% | 6.6% | 7,490 | 7.5% | 7.1% | -187 | -0.8pp |
| Greek | 343 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 283 | 0.3% | 0.2% | +60 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 330 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 228 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +102 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 322 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 365 | 0.4% | 0.5% | -43 | -0.1pp |
| German | 277 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 277 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tagalog | 232 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 155 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +77 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 209 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 180 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 173 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 143 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +30 | +0.1pp |
| Thai | 166 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 133 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +33 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 108,482 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 99,641 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,841 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.