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 Singleton (A), accounting for 90.6% (22,267 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,668 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Singleton (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Singleton (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 Singleton (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
22,267
% of total
90.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
22,267
90.6%
+1.0pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,475
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,475
6.0%
-1.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
93
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
93
0.4%
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
89
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
89
0.4%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
55
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
55
0.2%
0.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
51
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
51
0.2%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
48
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
48
0.2%
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
45
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
45
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
33
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
33
0.1%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
27
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
27
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,668
+1.0pp
Not stated
-200
-1.3pp
Tagalog
+50
+0.2pp
Afrikaans
+9
+0.1pp
Filipino
+11
0.0pp
Mandarin
-1
0.0pp
Thai
+30
+0.1pp
Vietnamese
+16
+0.1pp
Spanish
0
0.0pp
Cantonese
-9
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Singleton (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 | 22,267 | 90.6% | 86.8% | 20,599 | 89.6% | 87.1% | +1,668 | +1.0pp |
| Not stated | 1,475 | 6.0% | 6.6% | 1,675 | 7.3% | 7.1% | -200 | -1.3pp |
| Tagalog | 93 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 43 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 89 | 0.4% | 0.1% | 80 | 0.3% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 55 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 44 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +11 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 51 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 52 | 0.2% | 0.4% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 48 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +30 | +0.1pp |
| Vietnamese | 45 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 29 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +16 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 33 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 33 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 27 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 36 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 24,577 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,979 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,598 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.