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 Snowy Monaro Regional (A), accounting for 85.8% (18,588 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,299 people and 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Snowy Monaro Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Snowy Monaro Regional (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 Snowy Monaro Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
18,588
% of total
85.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18,588
85.8%
+0.1pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,735
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,735
8.0%
-1.2pp
German
2021 count
145
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
145
0.7%
-0.2pp
Mandarin
2021 count
142
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
142
0.7%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
104
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
104
0.5%
+0.4pp
Italian
2021 count
89
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
89
0.4%
0.0pp
Thai
2021 count
57
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
57
0.3%
+0.1pp
French
2021 count
44
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
44
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
43
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
43
0.2%
0.0pp
Dutch
2021 count
38
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
38
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,299
+0.1pp
Not stated
-123
-1.2pp
German
-43
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+65
+0.3pp
Spanish
+80
+0.4pp
Italian
0
0.0pp
Thai
+19
+0.1pp
French
+2
0.0pp
Arabic
+1
0.0pp
Dutch
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Snowy Monaro 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 | 18,588 | 85.8% | 86.8% | 17,289 | 85.7% | 87.1% | +1,299 | +0.1pp |
| Not stated | 1,735 | 8.0% | 6.6% | 1,858 | 9.2% | 7.1% | -123 | -1.2pp |
| German | 145 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 188 | 0.9% | 0.3% | -43 | -0.2pp |
| Mandarin | 142 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 77 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +65 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 104 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 24 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +80 | +0.4pp |
| Italian | 89 | 0.4% | 0.4% | 89 | 0.4% | 0.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Thai | 57 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 38 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +19 | +0.1pp |
| French | 44 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 42 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 43 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 42 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Dutch | 38 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 40 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 21,665 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 20,174 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,491 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.