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 Upper Hunter Shire (A), accounting for 89.6% (12,728 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 286 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Upper Hunter Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Upper Hunter Shire (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 Upper Hunter Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
12,728
% of total
89.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
12,728
89.6%
+1.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
917
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
917
6.5%
-2.4pp
Mandarin
2021 count
104
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
104
0.7%
+0.4pp
Filipino
2021 count
38
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
38
0.3%
+0.1pp
Portuguese
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.2%
0.0pp
Cantonese
2021 count
23
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
23
0.2%
0.0pp
French
2021 count
22
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
22
0.2%
+0.1pp
German
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
18
0.1%
0.0pp
Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian)
2021 count
18
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
18
0.1%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
17
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
17
0.1%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+286
+1.3pp
Not stated
-333
-2.4pp
Mandarin
+57
+0.4pp
Filipino
+6
+0.1pp
Portuguese
-2
0.0pp
Cantonese
-4
0.0pp
French
+14
+0.1pp
German
0
0.0pp
Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian)
+12
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-9
-0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Upper Hunter Shire (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 | 12,728 | 89.6% | 86.8% | 12,442 | 88.3% | 87.1% | +286 | +1.3pp |
| Not stated | 917 | 6.5% | 6.6% | 1,250 | 8.9% | 7.1% | -333 | -2.4pp |
| Mandarin | 104 | 0.7% | 0.4% | 47 | 0.3% | 0.4% | +57 | +0.4pp |
| Filipino | 38 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 32 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.1pp |
| Portuguese | 23 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 25 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Cantonese | 23 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 27 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -4 | 0.0pp |
| French | 22 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 8 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +14 | +0.1pp |
| German | 18 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 18 | 0.1% | 0.3% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Tok Pisin (Neomelanesian) | 18 | 0.1% | 0.0% | 6 | 0.0% | 0.0% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 17 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 26 | 0.2% | 0.2% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,201 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,088 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +113 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.