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 Walgett (A), accounting for 68.9% (3,595 people). This share was lower than Regional NSW (86.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 1,450 people and 14.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Walgett (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Walgett (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 Walgett (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
English
2021 count
3,595
% of total
68.9%
Change from 2016
-14.2pp
3,595
68.9%
-14.2pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,378
% of total
26.4%
Change from 2016
+14.2pp
1,378
26.4%
+14.2pp
Serbian
2021 count
32
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
32
0.6%
-0.3pp
German
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20
0.4%
-0.2pp
Gamilaraay
2021 count
19
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-
19
0.4%
-
Malayalam
2021 count
16
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
16
0.3%
+0.1pp
Tagalog
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
15
0.3%
0.0pp
Filipino
2021 count
15
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.3%
+0.2pp
Urdu
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
14
0.3%
0.0pp
Croatian
2021 count
13
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
13
0.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-1,450
-14.2pp
Not stated
+637
+14.2pp
Serbian
-23
-0.3pp
German
-14
-0.2pp
Malayalam
+4
+0.1pp
Tagalog
-5
0.0pp
Filipino
+9
+0.2pp
Urdu
-5
0.0pp
Croatian
-10
-0.2pp
Mandarin
+8
+0.1pp
Data table
Language used at home for Walgett (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 | 3,595 | 68.9% | 86.8% | 5,045 | 83.1% | 87.1% | -1,450 | -14.2pp |
| Not stated | 1,378 | 26.4% | 6.6% | 741 | 12.2% | 7.1% | +637 | +14.2pp |
| Serbian | 32 | 0.6% | 0.1% | 55 | 0.9% | 0.1% | -23 | -0.3pp |
| German | 20 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 34 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -14 | -0.2pp |
| Gamilaraay | 19 | 0.4% | 0.0% | - | - | 0.0% | - | - |
| Malayalam | 16 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 12 | 0.2% | 0.1% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Tagalog | 15 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 20 | 0.3% | 0.2% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Filipino | 15 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 6 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +9 | +0.2pp |
| Urdu | 14 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 19 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Croatian | 13 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.4% | 0.1% | -10 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 5,215 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,072 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -857 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.