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 Tenterfield (A), accounting for 87.7% (5,968 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 244 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Tenterfield (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Tenterfield (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 Tenterfield (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
5,968
% of total
87.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
5,968
87.7%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
646
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
646
9.5%
-1.7pp
German
2021 count
24
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24
0.4%
+0.1pp
Italian
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
16
0.2%
-0.3pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.2%
+0.1pp
Punjabi
2021 count
15
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15
0.2%
+0.1pp
Filipino
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Auslan
2021 count
10
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.1%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+244
+1.3pp
Not stated
-95
-1.7pp
German
+7
+0.1pp
Italian
-17
-0.3pp
Afrikaans
+6
+0.1pp
Punjabi
+9
+0.1pp
Filipino
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Tenterfield (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 | 5,968 | 87.7% | 86.8% | 5,724 | 86.4% | 87.1% | +244 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 646 | 9.5% | 6.6% | 741 | 11.2% | 7.1% | -95 | -1.7pp |
| German | 24 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.3% | 0.3% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Italian | 16 | 0.2% | 0.4% | 33 | 0.5% | 0.5% | -17 | -0.3pp |
| Afrikaans | 15 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Punjabi | 15 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Filipino | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Auslan | 10 | 0.1% | 0.1% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Total | 6,803 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,623 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +180 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.