Cultural diversity
Language spoken at home
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.
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 spoken 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
Not stated
Serbian
German
Gamilaraay
Malayalam
Tagalog
Filipino
Urdu
Croatian
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 spoken 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.