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 Tamworth Regional (A), accounting for 87.2% (54,968 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,035 people, while its share fell by 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tamworth Regional (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tamworth 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 Tamworth Regional (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
54,968
% of total
87.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
54,968
87.2%
-1.6pp
Not stated
2021 count
4,463
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
4,463
7.1%
-0.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
441
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
441
0.7%
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
2021 count
349
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
349
0.6%
+0.5pp
Tagalog
2021 count
290
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
290
0.5%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
224
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
224
0.4%
+0.3pp
Nepali
2021 count
213
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
213
0.3%
+0.2pp
Gamilaraay
2021 count
156
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
156
0.2%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
150
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
150
0.2%
0.0pp
Malayalam
2021 count
136
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
136
0.2%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,035
-1.6pp
Not stated
-27
-0.4pp
Mandarin
+173
+0.3pp
Vietnamese
+288
+0.5pp
Tagalog
+65
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+140
+0.3pp
Nepali
+169
+0.2pp
Gamilaraay
+142
+0.2pp
Filipino
+33
0.0pp
Malayalam
+82
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tamworth 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 | 54,968 | 87.2% | 86.8% | 52,933 | 88.8% | 87.1% | +2,035 | -1.6pp |
| Not stated | 4,463 | 7.1% | 6.6% | 4,490 | 7.5% | 7.1% | -27 | -0.4pp |
| Mandarin | 441 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 268 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +173 | +0.3pp |
| Vietnamese | 349 | 0.6% | 0.2% | 61 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +288 | +0.5pp |
| Tagalog | 290 | 0.5% | 0.2% | 225 | 0.4% | 0.2% | +65 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 224 | 0.4% | 0.3% | 84 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +140 | +0.3pp |
| Nepali | 213 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 44 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +169 | +0.2pp |
| Gamilaraay | 156 | 0.2% | 0.0% | 14 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +142 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 150 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 117 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Malayalam | 136 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 54 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +82 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 63,031 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 59,631 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,400 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.