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 West Tamar (M), accounting for 89.9% (22,593 people). This share was higher than Regional Tas. (88.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in English, which increased by 2,076 people, while its share fell by 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Language used at home - Ranked by size
West Tamar (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises language used at home for West Tamar (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Tamar (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
English
2021 count
22,593
% of total
89.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
22,593
89.9%
-0.4pp
Not stated
2021 count
1,114
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
1,114
4.4%
-1.4pp
Nepali
2021 count
176
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
176
0.7%
+0.7pp
Mandarin
2021 count
148
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
148
0.6%
+0.2pp
Punjabi
2021 count
91
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
91
0.4%
+0.3pp
Spanish
2021 count
71
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
71
0.3%
+0.2pp
German
2021 count
67
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
67
0.3%
-0.2pp
Afrikaans
2021 count
64
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
64
0.3%
+0.2pp
Italian
2021 count
51
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
51
0.2%
-0.1pp
Cantonese
2021 count
49
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
49
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Language used at home - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
English
+2,076
-0.4pp
Not stated
-199
-1.4pp
Nepali
+173
+0.7pp
Mandarin
+64
+0.2pp
Punjabi
+74
+0.3pp
Spanish
+46
+0.2pp
German
-40
-0.2pp
Afrikaans
+41
+0.2pp
Italian
-10
-0.1pp
Cantonese
-6
0.0pp
Data table
Language used at home for West Tamar (M). Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| English | 22,593 | 89.9% | 88.9% | 20,517 | 90.3% | 89.8% | +2,076 | -0.4pp |
| Not stated | 1,114 | 4.4% | 5.6% | 1,313 | 5.8% | 6.7% | -199 | -1.4pp |
| Nepali | 176 | 0.7% | 0.9% | 3 | 0.0% | 0.3% | +173 | +0.7pp |
| Mandarin | 148 | 0.6% | 0.6% | 84 | 0.4% | 0.4% | +64 | +0.2pp |
| Punjabi | 91 | 0.4% | 0.2% | 17 | 0.1% | 0.0% | +74 | +0.3pp |
| Spanish | 71 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 25 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +46 | +0.2pp |
| German | 67 | 0.3% | 0.2% | 107 | 0.5% | 0.3% | -40 | -0.2pp |
| Afrikaans | 64 | 0.3% | 0.1% | 23 | 0.1% | 0.1% | +41 | +0.2pp |
| Italian | 51 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 61 | 0.3% | 0.1% | -10 | -0.1pp |
| Cantonese | 49 | 0.2% | 0.1% | 55 | 0.2% | 0.1% | -6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 25,139 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 22,709 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,430 | 0.0pp |
Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.