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 Valleys (A), accounting for 87.2% (12,979 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 499 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Snowy Valleys (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Snowy Valleys (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 Valleys (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
12,979
% of total
87.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
12,979
87.2%
+0.5pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,263
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
1,263
8.5%
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
91
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
91
0.6%
+0.1pp
Mandarin
2021 count
41
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
41
0.3%
-0.1pp
Thai
2021 count
40
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
40
0.3%
+0.2pp
Wiradjuri
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
34
0.2%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.2%
0.0pp
German
2021 count
27
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
27
0.2%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
26
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.2%
+0.1pp
Finnish
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+499
+0.5pp
Not stated
-152
-1.3pp
Afrikaans
+25
+0.1pp
Mandarin
-19
-0.1pp
Thai
+30
+0.2pp
Wiradjuri
+29
+0.2pp
Filipino
+6
0.0pp
German
0
0.0pp
Cantonese
+13
+0.1pp
Finnish
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Snowy Valleys (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 | 12,979 | 87.2% | 86.8% | 12,480 | 86.7% | 87.1% | +499 | +0.5pp |
| Not stated | 1,263 | 8.5% | 6.6% | 1,415 | 9.8% | 7.1% | -152 | -1.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 91 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 66 | 0.5% | 0.1% | +25 | +0.1pp |
| Mandarin | 41 | 0.3% | 0.4% | 60 | 0.4% | 0.4% | -19 | -0.1pp |
| Thai | 40 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Wiradjuri | 34 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 5 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| German | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +13 | +0.1pp |
| Finnish | 23 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.0% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 14,888 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,387 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +501 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.