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 Lachlan Shire (A), accounting for 89.4% (7,604 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 645 people, while its share fell by 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Upper Lachlan Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Upper Lachlan 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 Lachlan Shire (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
7,604
% of total
89.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
7,604
89.4%
-1.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
695
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
695
8.2%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
20
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
20
0.2%
-
German
2021 count
16
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16
0.2%
0.0pp
Arabic
2021 count
14
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-
14
0.2%
-
French
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Greek
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Spanish
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13
0.2%
+0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
11
% of total
0.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
11
0.1%
0.0pp
Mandarin
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
+645
-1.2pp
Not stated
+81
+0.2pp
German
+2
0.0pp
French
+8
+0.1pp
Greek
+2
+0.1pp
Spanish
+9
+0.1pp
Cantonese
+2
0.0pp
Mandarin
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Upper Lachlan 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 | 7,604 | 89.4% | 86.8% | 6,959 | 90.6% | 87.1% | +645 | -1.2pp |
| Not stated | 695 | 8.2% | 6.6% | 614 | 8.0% | 7.1% | +81 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 20 | 0.2% | 0.4% | - | - | 0.5% | - | - |
| German | 16 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 14 | 0.2% | 0.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Arabic | 14 | 0.2% | 0.3% | - | - | 0.3% | - | - |
| French | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 5 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +8 | +0.1pp |
| Greek | 13 | 0.2% | 0.2% | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Spanish | 13 | 0.2% | 0.3% | 4 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 11 | 0.1% | 0.2% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.2% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Mandarin | 10 | 0.1% | 0.4% | 9 | 0.1% | 0.4% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 8,505 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,679 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +826 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.