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 Sorell (M), accounting for 90.4% (15,123 people). This share was higher than Greater Hobart (82.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 1,885 people, while its share fell by 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Sorell (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Sorell (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Hobart and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sorell (M), with comparison markers for Greater Hobart.
English
2021 count
15,123
% of total
90.4%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
15,123
90.4%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
974
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
974
5.8%
-0.3pp
Mandarin
2021 count
56
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
56
0.3%
+0.2pp
Nepali
2021 count
53
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
53
0.3%
+0.3pp
German
2021 count
46
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
46
0.3%
0.0pp
Punjabi
2021 count
34
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
34
0.2%
-
Afrikaans
2021 count
33
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
0.2%
+0.1pp
Dutch
2021 count
30
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
30
0.2%
0.0pp
Greek
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.2%
0.0pp
Spanish
2021 count
28
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
28
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+1,885
-1.6pp
Not stated
+92
-0.3pp
Mandarin
+38
+0.2pp
Nepali
+50
+0.3pp
German
+2
0.0pp
Afrikaans
+25
+0.1pp
Dutch
+6
0.0pp
Greek
+4
0.0pp
Spanish
+4
0.0pp
Thai
+10
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Sorell (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Hobart.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | % | Greater Hobart% | Count | pp | |
| English | 15,123 | 90.4% | 82.6% | 13,238 | 92.0% | 86.5% | +1,885 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 974 | 5.8% | 4.6% | 882 | 6.1% | 5.8% | +92 | -0.3pp |
| Mandarin | 56 | 0.3% | 2.6% | 18 | 0.1% | 1.3% | +38 | +0.2pp |
| Nepali | 53 | 0.3% | 1.8% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.4% | +50 | +0.3pp |
| German | 46 | 0.3% | 0.3% | 44 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Punjabi | 34 | 0.2% | 0.7% | - | - | 0.2% | - | - |
| Afrikaans | 33 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +25 | +0.1pp |
| Dutch | 30 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.2% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Greek | 28 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.5% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Spanish | 28 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 24 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +4 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 16,735 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,388 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,347 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.