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 Lightning Ridge, accounting for 70.6% (1,361 people). This share was higher than Walgett (A) (68.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which decreased by 425 people and 7.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
Lightning Ridge - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for Lightning Ridge in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Walgett (A) and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Lightning Ridge, with comparison markers for Walgett (A).
English
2021 count
1,361
% of total
70.6%
Change from 2016
-7.9pp
1,361
70.6%
-7.9pp
Not stated
2021 count
408
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
+9.2pp
408
21.2%
+9.2pp
Serbian
2021 count
33
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
33
1.7%
-0.8pp
German
2021 count
21
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
21
1.1%
-0.3pp
Tagalog
2021 count
15
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
15
0.8%
+0.2pp
Filipino
2021 count
14
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
14
0.7%
+0.3pp
Croatian
2021 count
13
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
13
0.7%
-0.4pp
Urdu
2021 count
12
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
0.6%
0.0pp
Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec
2021 count
10
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-
10
0.5%
-
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
-425
-7.9pp
Not stated
+135
+9.2pp
Serbian
-23
-0.8pp
German
-10
-0.3pp
Tagalog
+2
+0.2pp
Filipino
+6
+0.3pp
Croatian
-13
-0.4pp
Urdu
-2
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for Lightning Ridge. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Walgett (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Walgett (A)% | Count | % | Walgett (A)% | Count | pp | |
| English | 1,361 | 70.6% | 68.9% | 1,786 | 78.5% | 83.1% | -425 | -7.9pp |
| Not stated | 408 | 21.2% | 26.4% | 273 | 12.0% | 12.2% | +135 | +9.2pp |
| Serbian | 33 | 1.7% | 0.6% | 56 | 2.5% | 0.9% | -23 | -0.8pp |
| German | 21 | 1.1% | 0.4% | 31 | 1.4% | 0.6% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Tagalog | 15 | 0.8% | 0.3% | 13 | 0.6% | 0.3% | +2 | +0.2pp |
| Filipino | 14 | 0.7% | 0.3% | 8 | 0.4% | 0.1% | +6 | +0.3pp |
| Croatian | 13 | 0.7% | 0.2% | 26 | 1.1% | 0.4% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Urdu | 12 | 0.6% | 0.3% | 14 | 0.6% | 0.3% | -2 | 0.0pp |
| Other Australian Indigenous Languages, nec | 10 | 0.5% | 0.2% | - | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 1,927 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,276 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -349 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.