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 Southern Midlands (M), accounting for 90.8% (6,055 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 493 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Southern Midlands (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Southern Midlands (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Midlands (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
6,055
% of total
90.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
6,055
90.8%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
521
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
521
7.8%
+1.0pp
Mandarin
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
15
0.2%
-
German
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.1%
-0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10
0.1%
-0.1pp
Polish
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
10
0.1%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+493
-1.2pp
Not stated
+111
+1.0pp
German
-3
-0.1pp
Italian
-3
-0.1pp
Polish
+3
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Southern Midlands (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 6,055 | 90.8% | 88.9% | 5,562 | 92.0% | 89.8% | +493 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 521 | 7.8% | 5.6% | 410 | 6.8% | 6.7% | +111 | +1.0pp |
| Mandarin | 15 | 0.2% | 0.6% | - | - | 0.4% | - | - |
| German | 10 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Italian | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Polish | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | 7 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 6,667 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,044 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +623 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.